The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto XXII: The Battle for the Flesh.

Read in Landscape.

Hidden from vision of rebels they spied
Deep in the forest where Osage were now lied.
Watching the decadence spilling on decks
Slowly as pirates were sailing the wrecks.
Sloth that had harmed them when journey did start
Ruined their foes as it picked them apart.

Slowing them down as their rations they waste
Taking not voyage with cunning or haste.
Men were now spoiling on decks of the ships
All that was saved for the length of the trip.
Drunken and bloated from food and their wine
Won by the deepest and greatest of crimes.

Greatly rejoicing at fortune they found
Brought by the man who in hull was now bound.
Soon would his ransom be used for their good
Wrought by their leader in victory stood.
Loudly they dance and greedily drank
Claiming the vessel they almost had sank.

Knowing not gluttony's sealing their doom
Digging for rebels their hastening tomb.
Aware not maiden had sped from their grasp
Back when the cannons with fury had blast
Casting her over the edge of the rails
Setting in motion what caused them to fail.

Ignorant that maiden had friends she could ask
Helping the peasant in dangerous task.
Bringing them down to now wage on them war
Great so that all of their prize be yet tore
Back from the hands of the men who did fight
Stealing their vessel in fury and spite.

Deep in the woods they did watch what transpired
Things of their foes that were great and so dire.
Hidden from view of the pirates who danced
Bidding their time and awaiting their chance.
Longing for moment that comes when they strike
Watching them fall with the waning of might.

Chief did now set by the side of the maid
Looking at trouble before them now laid.
Better the prospect than first had then seemed
Back when his warriors had struck on this scheme.
Men on the ship did not know of their place
All they consumed with a ravenous haste.

Leaning he spoke of their fortunate fate
Telling the maid how his fear had abate.
Seeing the men on the ship he now knew
Osage could strive with the fury of crew.
Whisp'ring to maiden the man did now speak
Telling again what was goal they did seek.

"Great is the decadence found on the ships
Heading not effort that's needed for trip.
Soon to the side of the river they'll pull
Act that is needed to compensate fools
Eating the whole of their rations that's stored
Down in the hull in their cabins on board.

Far from their powder and cannons that blast
Men to the ground by our spears shall be cast.
Soon they will fall to the fury of braves
Sent to a tomb that yet early was made."

Hearing his words, the maiden did nod
Ready to lunge from the paths that they trod.
Hidden from view of the crew that did stand
High as the target of all of their plans.
Still in her heart yet a fear she did feel
Knowing that battle some thing would yet steal.

Quiet she spoke now revealing her fear
Telling the chief that her doom was yet near.

"I bid you speed and hope that plan you've made
Will grant us life and stave away the grave.
Your courage great is very good and bold
But still foreboding sense my heart does hold.

Portending doom does prick at servant's throat
Some dreadful fate I fear is bound on boat.
Yet choice in matter runs so very dry
If servant fails to act the prince will surely die.

So lead my friend I'll take what fate does give
And yield my life if death's what God does bid."

Turning her head to the task that's on hand
Dwelling in heart on the chieftain's own plan.
Looking at vessel where foes were now stayed
Deep in their sins and their hungers they laid.
Knowing not presence of hunters who keep
Deep in the shadows as life they now seek.