The Pharaoh King's Daughter

The story of a Princess who is kidnapped and rescued by a lowly street beggar.

A long time ago in a land far away,
A Pharaoh ruled all he could see.
From the vast desert sands to the arable lands,
Where the Nile empties into the sea.

This king had a daughter, the Princess Javine,
The most beautiful girl in the land.
From far and from wide every noble had tried,
To win the fair Princess’s hand.

But the Pharaoh rejected each suitor's approach,
With a firm but respectful decline.
"One day", the king said "My fair Princess will wed,
But for now her devotion is mine."

+++

One day to the kingdom a stranger arrived,
With an evil intent in his eyes.
"I declare this my kingdom! I'm revoking your freedom!
And I take the Princess as my prize!"

But the king stood against him, refusing to cede,
And surrendered not one grain of sand.
"My subjects are brave, you will not make them slaves!"
And he banished the man from the land.

But by cover of darkness the very next night,
The outlander silently crept,
Through the late evening gloom to the Princess's room,
Where the fair maiden peacefully slept.

The Princess awoke when she heard him approach,
And was just on the verge of a scream,
When he cast a dark spell at which point Javine fell,
In a dark and a troublesome dream.

The stranger absconded, the Princess his spoil,
And he rode through the desert all night.
In a secret ravine he imprisoned Javine,
And kept the fair maiden from sight.

Next morning the Pharaoh had learned of the crime,
And was quite overcome with his grief.
"Leave no stone unturned to get Javine returned
From the claws of this terrible thief."

"This villain has entered my palace's halls,
And has kidnapped my daughter unseen!
To the champion who saves her from he who enslaves her
I will offer the hand of Javine!"

The strongest, the fittest, the bravest, the bold,
All travelled in vain for to earn
The maid as their wife, but they paid with their life,
For not one man would ever return.

+++

One day, some weeks later, a beggar passed under
The king's open window above.
But instead of him sleeping, the king was heard weeping,
The loss of his Princess's love.

The beggar called to him. "Your Highness!", he said.
"I'm the poor simple beggar, Ali.
I can see that you're grieving, and so I am leaving,
To try set your fair daughter free."

So the beggar went forth through the wild desert sands,
With only his cloak and his shield.
'Til he came to the cave of the villainous knave,
Where the Princess Javine was concealed.

He entered and saw the still-sleeping Javine,
And he laid his cape over his prize.
But the touch of his cloak caused the spell to be broke,
And the fair Princess opened her eyes.

But just at that moment the wizard appeared,
And he pushed the Princess to one side.
"You are certainly brave to have entered my cave,
But now it is time that you died!"

He incanted a spell which he flung at the boy,
But Ali raised his shield for protection.
And the rogue was dumbfounded when the spell was rebounded,
And was struck by the magic reflection.

The wizard was stung by the devilish spell,
And he writhed around in the pain.
Then the mist slowly cleared and the rogue disappeared,
And was never seen ever again.

+++

Ali took the Princess back home to the king,
Who was joyous at what he had seen.
He said "I made a vow, so I offer you now,
The hand of my daughter, Javine."

But Ali shook his head and then lowered his eyes.
"I cannot not wed your daughter", he said.
"I am humble and poor, she deserves so much more,
And should choose her own husband to wed."

When the Princess Javine heard the words Ali spoke,
Her heart filled with love and with pride.
"What a kind, noble boy; it would give me much joy,
To become this poor street-beggar's bride."

Ali was amazed at Javine's loving pledge,
And accepted the Princess's hand.
There was great celebration across the whole nation,
And peace once again filled the land.

Reviews

[luna11]

Oh my gosh this is absolutely amazing!
The story you've told is wonderful, and this poem is so well written.
I flows so nicely.
It's awesome.
:D

[Inyourshadow]

I love the Arabian Nights stories as this so reminded me of all those fabulous tales. The beggar made good through his honest gentle nature. This piece is epic, you really know how to tell a story my friend. Keep em' coming

[.]

Ahhh.. utterly brilliant..limerick is one of the hardest rhyming schemes to do well, without compromising the meaning of the poem..you however have just given a masterclass in it...and I am just enchanted as Javine with this wonderful story! BRA BLOODY VO!!!

[[untitled]]

Poetic Voice is Announcing the first Poetic Voice Cash Prize Contest for Poetry. Awards will be given to the writers who submit for consideration the most outstanding poems within the context of Poetry and Word Art.

http://poeticvoice.ning.com/

[Cricket Kidd]

I like a good story, and I like poetry, so I especially like a good story that rhymes the whole time! good one, keep writing!

[bookworm]

sounds alot like ALADDIN but it has an awesome plot do a little editing & it would be perfect. keep on writing.