The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto XX: The Aid of the Osage.

Read in Landscape

Back to the land of Osage she did go
Back to the place where her allies abode.
Hoping that tribe would yet aid her in war
Quick so that ship from their hands may be tore
Far from the grasp of the thieves who had fought
Working so hurt on their head could be wrought.

Tracing their path from the shores of their home
Over the seas had these thieves now yet roamed.
Seeking their hurt at the soonest of chance
Hoping that wealth would their plunder yet grant.
Quick did they fall on the head of their foes
Granting the sailors what was greatest of woe.

Up on the helm of the ship they now stayed
Gaining the priv'ledge by plan they had made.
Riotous sure was the acts they now bid
Trouble was thing that to sailors they give.
Great would be hurt that on head they would reap
Vengeance for foiling their previous feat.

Maiden's heart was in greatest of woe
Wracked by those fears that were stoked by her foes.
Adriene though strove at a hope that's so slim
Lo! though its light be yet quivering dim
Running through forest at the quickest of pace
Fast to her allies did the maiden now race.

Great was the trek that the peasant did take
All for the prince who was lover's own sake.
Over the hills through the valleys she goes
Facing on way what were many a woe.
Heat of the day and coldness of night.
Rays that do batter and winds that do bite

Maiden did brave though their forces were great
Bidding to peasant what was death as her fate.
Seldom she rested and seldom she ate
Hoping to reach them before it's to late.
Trapping her meat and scavenging her grain
Eating so little though her hunger did pain

Maiden who strove with purest intent
All of her will on this journey was bent.
Walking though battered, blistered, and sore
Still her own mission in heart she now bore.
Knowing that chance does alone on her rest
Solely in maid were their lives now invest.

Deep in the woods she did fear now she's lost
Mourning the price that this folly had cost.
Still she pressed and her effort she gave
Knowing mistake might yet lead to the grave.
Stumbling she went as her senses were robbed
Knowing not place as she onward did trod.

Body remembered what mind had forgot
Taking her down to the place she had sought.
Walking and stumbling her feet did now bleed
Still to her shelter the maiden did speed.
Delirious mumbling and mad in her grief
Long did she search for the Osagen chief.

Sudden the beating of drums were then heard
Fast from her stupor the maiden was spurred.
Onward she pressed to the sound of the drum
Hearing the beat as they beckoning thrummed.
Hastening gait she now started to stride
Fast to the place where the Osage abide.

Hoping to self she'll arrive not too late
Stressing and striving with furious gait.
Trees did now break and glade she did see
Place that was hidden so deep in the trees.
Finally at village the maiden arrived
Hoping that reprieve was found yet in time.

Inward she stumbled to place where they lived
Hoping that hands to her cause they would give.
Calling for help from the friends she had made
Back when in village the peasant had stayed.
People in village now turned in surprise
Seeing their friend who in hurt did now lie.

Over to peasant the villagers ran
Helping so upward the peasant could stand.
Cries were now heard through whole of the place
Out to the maid did now more of them race.
Wanting to know what was cause of her pain
Seeking so knowledge the tribesmen may gain.

Hearing the roar in his tent was the chief
Wondering great what was causing this grief.
Over to council the man did now gaze
Questioning eyebrow, the king did now raise.
Up he did stand and the plotting he broke
Chief of the tribesmen now hastily spoke.