The warriors gathered one midwinter day
From the length and the breadth of the land
Each carried a dream from their homes far away
And here they would each make their stand
The rivals stepped forward; each name was announced
On the field where King Tarquin now stood
Assembled, the warriors bent knee and paused
To hear Tarquin speak, and he would:
For a champion will rise up
A Prince will be crowned
But the honor shall go to them all
"Great Grandfather Rex made a promise to thee
That to these lands you could lay claim;
As heir to that promise, I shall oversee
The day in which you earn your fame.
A tourney will take place at this very court
Each warrior tested by skill
And surely we know that each bout shall report
Your destiny here to fulfill."
For a champion will rise up
A Prince will be crowned
But the honor shall go to you all
"When all of the others have ceded the quest
When only one stands on the field
The victor King Tarquin will promptly invest
As the very first Prince of Northshield!
For you are the finest the Realm has to bear
Each one of you valiant and wise;
And though each of you is quite worthy and fair
Just one of you will win the prize."
And a champion will rise up
A Prince will be crowned
But the honor shall go to them all
"But know this, brave stalwarts; though one shall be crowned
The new Prince will not stand alone
For all of your talents and gifts which abound
Will be part of this land of your own.
And all of the people will offer with love
Their gifts, just as you do in turn
And We will look proudly on you from above
Giving each the respect you have earned."
And a champion will rise up
A Prince will be crowned
But the honor shall go to you all
Then Tarquin gazed at the combatants with pride
And knew the Realm was in good stead
Regardless the victor, he was satisfied
No province could be better led.
"Now fight, my companions, with all of your might
You know I expect nothing less
And all of our comrades will share mead tonight
Raise your glass to young Northshield's success!
For a champion will rise up
A Prince will be crowned
But the honor shall go to you all!"
All original works are © 1992-1996, Wallace J. Waltner