The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto XVI: The Osage.

Read in Landscape.

Maiden now dreamed of the place that she left
Home that for long she had strayed from bereft.
Times when in peace had she humbly there dwelt
Down in the valleys where her love was yet felt.
Easing her heart and yet calming her mind
Peace in this world did the maiden now find.

Good though this dream yet the maiden still stirs
Duty and mission her own heart does now spur.
Causing her toss in the place she was laid
Knowing that life of her love must be saved.
Jerking from thing that for long she did want
Still she must leave from this world that she haunts.

Waking from sleep she now found she was tied
Down on the ground that was muddy she's lied.
Looking about her, her fellows she sees
Tied to a stake as to captors they plead.
Mem'ries then filled her with deepest of dread
Brought to the forefront of mind where they're led.

Taken by foe when to ground they had fell
Knowing that doom had that wrack now yet spelled.
Sitting she gazes at place where she's bound
Staring in wonder at the people their found.
Nature was seeped in their work and their lives
Deep in the forest they long did abide.

Hides were their covers and earth was their homes
Bound in and hidden in the places they roamed.
Far from the eyes of what folk would yet pry
Deep in their trees where no foe could yet spy
Any of things that are bound in their hold
Secret was shepherd that's keeping this fold.

Turning she asked of her fellows their fate
Hoping they'll speak and her wonder abate.
Quickly they told her the cause of their stance
Captured by tribe that's now judging their chance.
Weighing the cost of the prisoners' lives
Whether they'll live or whether they'll die.

Cautiously maiden now set on her side
Watching the tribesmen who currently strive.
Going about their own day with a haste
Little the time did those people yet waste.
Working and striving to earn their own keep
All with a face that was ancient and deep.

Old were their souls like the land where they lived
Reaping not sowing what nature does give.
Hunting and fishing for food and their hides
Harvesting crops that the world does provide.
Ancient in actions and deeds were their ways
Like they forever in forest had laid.

Maid did not dare to yet question their lot
Fearing how dread their reprisal be sought.
Still she did know that they needed to speak
Hoping to garner some answers from chief.
Steady now maiden did bide yet her time
Waiting for moment she hoped she would find.

Watching their ways though the days and the night
Hoping that answer would grant some respite.
Letting them know what was trespass they made
Quick so that price for their crimes could be paid.
Steady she watched them as tribesmen now spoke
Watching while labor was made and then broke.

Patience her teacher she pieced out their words
Long so that message of sailors be heard.
Honing her craft in the still of the night
Steady avoiding some unknowing a slight.
Long for a captive but short for a student
Even for one who's so steady and prudent.

Many a weeks did now pass for the men
Still on their captors for needs they depend
Jean had now watched them and learned of their ways
Down on the ground where the maiden was laid.
Listening closely to all of their speech
Hoping some knowledge of folk she may reach.

Long was the time in this camp they abide
Hoping that chance at their freedom was lied
Closely at hand so that men may escape
Leaving their captor and shunning their fate.
Jean was yet only who manner did learn
Hoping that reason their fate could yet spurn.

Finally day does now come and she talks
Over to brave that now quickly does balks.
Rising surprised that his language she knows
Worried that mischief the maiden has sown.
Asking her quickly what cause she does bare
Wanting to know if her favor be fair.