I don’t know this young fighter, and I regret I did not see him fight. But, I do know that it took great courage for all the Crucible fighters to participate in this very taxing battle, as there were many highly skilled opponents to face in this seemingly endless test of endurance and strength.
I am happy to chronicle his tale. The first eight lines, the octave, is meant to introduce the subject of the poem and set the scene or situation. The sextet, to follow, presents the poet’s feelings or conclusions on the matter previously introduced.
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Benjamin Goodchild
Crucible Fighter, Winter Crown Tourney, A.S. XLVIII
(Italian Sonnet)
With courage born behind a lover’s eye
And brothers’ lessons that would serve him well
He took the field undaunted by death’s knell
While friends held faith his victory was nigh.
Against all odds and Fate’s victors he vied
While scores of battlers all around him fell
Only blows from countless foes could quell
This hero’s will or reveling deny.
If valor was the currency this day
And gallantry the blade that strikes each blow
Each fighter on the list could well succeed.
But skill would call the winners of this fray
Upon this field two knights alone would go
Into the final battle for Caid.
– Bannthegn Beathog nic Dhonnchaidh
. . . is a 14th century bard who can often be seen traveling far from her home in the Highlands with her lord husband and muse. If a good tale crosses her path, she will sing a song about it, pull out its hair and spin it, or throw it in a pot and cook it up.