The Emerald Knight

The young King of Scarlet Castle

Sent his beloved companions

On a quest ’round Emerald Castle

For a noble bride’s affections

~

They came upon a stoic knight

And asked him for the way

But clad in plates of malachite

The statue had naught to say

~

Then they saw a graceful knight

His cloak of aventurine

But asking if the road was right

His reply was wind through leaves

~

So they searched the kingdom wide

Over verdant hills and vales

But no word of aid did they find

Among knights or stones or gales

~

These companions of the Scarlet King

Had little hope when they came

To an arch at roadside standing

As if an Emerald Knight to frame

~

“Sir Knight, we seek a maiden fair

A princess of your prosperous land

Our Lord would beg, our Lord would dare

Place this ring upon her hand!”

~

At this the Knight bent his head

And the ring did he long consider

“A lovely jewel, but why, good men

Did you not bestow it yonder?”

~

He turned around and pointed back

Along the road they’d traveled

And at their confusion, she gave a laugh

As her Emerald hair unraveled

© 2012 Elizabeth Cook