The Walter Robin Manuscripts
The Comic Verses

Upon the bridge Gunhilda bold
Stood firm 'gainst those who sought to cross
Like Aerin from the tales of old
But fate would force a dreadful loss.
She sorely pressed by armored horde,
Who flung her blade into the lake
Lost in the depths like Arthur's sword
The Lady's hand appear'd to take.
Then cunning lads from nothern keep
Set forth to fill unspoken wish
(Tho' oft accused of stealing sheep)
Retrieved the sword from Jonah's fish.
Tho' story true and bard are wet,
Here's one fish tale we'll not forget.

Author's Notes

True story: At a joint practice with Northkeep at Boomer Lake, they decided they wanted to try some bridge battles. Although some (Gunhilda, among them) were concerned about dropping weapons in the lake, others reassured them that the lanyards would prevent any losses.

No sooner had they begun, but Gunhilda's sword was struck from her hand and into the lake. The metal hand guard weighed it down, and it began to sink hilt-first, with the blade pointed straight into the air, just as if the Lady of the Lake was taking it.

Already, a good story.

At the time we had some shtick with Northkeep about how they had stolen all the sheep from Mooneschadowe (I think because we'd hosted a recent 'Sheep Wars' event). So, during the feast at Northkeep's Baronial Investiture, some fellows brought out a large fish (about 6-8 feet long), made out of cardboard and duct tape, and they said, 'We think we found what has been getting all your sheep.' They got Gunhilda to cut it open, and voila! there is the lost sword, dredged from the lake.

They had driven back out to Stillwater and dredged the lake with magnets to find it. I wrote this sonnet-ballad on the spot.

Copyright © 1996, Andy Borman (Walter Robin). All rights reserved. Contact to reprint.


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