Part 4

With such surprise four pairs of eyes

Went wide from having heard

This new voice sound, and spread around

While grinding ev’ry word.

 

Across the room, engulfed in gloom,

The scowling man remained

As still as stone with ev’ry groan

And ev’ry huff refrained.

 

Yet ev’ry word we all had heard

Did all from him arise.

For over there he turned his stare,

And met our widened eyes.

‘What means this? Pray, gawk not at me!

’Tis true I’m E of Meisner’s Fork.

I man it with my brother V,

To whom I ne’er spit out my cork.’

 

‘I’m sorry for the way we stare,’

The astounded captain said,

‘It’s that you’re here instead of there,

And drinking off your dread.’

 

‘And being it that you are E,’

Said Colin soft but clear,

‘You’re damned to never leave your post,

And yet you’re sitting here.’

 

‘And week by week you cannot speak

Unless you’re spoken to

By one astray at night or day

Who’s seeking help from you.

 

And yet, no doubt, you spoke without

A single word to you.

How can that be if you are E?’

Said Trent, whose interest grew.

 

‘Why, gentlemen, I’m not that cursed.

These tales of me have made ye err.

My state is nowhere near its worst,

Although V’s presence puts me there.

 

We both may go where’er we please,

But, punished for our wretched crime,

We cannot go beyond the trees,

And only have two hours time.

 

But one at least must always stay

And man the fork while aiding all

Who find that they have gone astray

Find home again ere night should fall.

 

’Tis why my brother V is there,

And sitting not with me in here.

O how ’tis good to wander where

I please, at times, with him not near.

But though I’m most content away

From wicked V, who’s quite a bore,

I pity any now astray,

For V would make them wander more.

 

’Tis better when we both advise,

But still we stroll when we deem fit.

Now cease thy gawking! Ease thine eyes!

’Tis true I’m E, for here I sit.’

 

Some moments passed, and then at last

We felt the calmness rise.

While E then drew a sip of brew,

And slowly raised his eyes.

 

‘And now to thy dispute resolve,

For it hath grown too dull to bear.

It could the tolerance dissolve

Of citizenry anywhere.

 

Thou, Music Man! How thou dost err!

If not by drink then by thy mind.

Though thou hast eyes, behind thy stare

Thou wast unquestionably blind.

 

This gentleman who sails the seas

Hath been here far more times than thee.

While, as for me, one ne’er at ease,

I’ve been here far more times than he.

 

Thus, Music Man, when thou dost rue

Thine eyes are blind to truths and joys.

But right thou wast to view as new

Those two Ekmillistromi boys.’

 

‘Now simpleton what can you say?’

The captain said with pride,

‘What words can keep my wits at bay

With no one at your side?

 

O look! He’s rapt! His words have fled!’

The captain turned to E,

‘Now, sir, about a thing you said,

You’ve been here more than me?’

‘The eldest here, but, sir, beware,

Trust not each sight thine eyes may see.

For though I have a youthful air,

I am four hundred fifty-three.’

 

‘The tales said you’ve been damned so long,’

Said Colin barely heard,

‘But how could I have been so new,

That always seemed absurd.’

 

‘Now, Captain, I must turn to thee,

For thou hast erred as much as he.

Like him, ’tis that thou art to see,

Roll not thin eyes! Give ear to me!

 

There be no wrong in telling tales

So long as they be never tall.

For tales are formed along life’s trails,

And told to entertain us all.

 

Their questions asked for both their names

And noble towns in which they dwell,

But, though unasked, they dropped their shames,

And told their special tales as well.

 

For tales assist our world to shine,

They’re hard to quell, elude, or bar.

Thus telling tales unasked is fine,

For they’re much part of who we are.

 

Yet, Captain, that’s not all. I pray,

Let thine attention longer span.

For thou hast erred another way,

And such concerns the Music Man.

 

His tale about his sinful pact

Is true unless ’tis found untrue,

For he was there, whilst thou, by fact,

Wast sailing on the ocean blue.

 

Whate’er the cause that placed him here

Instead of with his family,

Thou hast no right to mock or sneer,

Thus hold thy tongue and let him be.’

‘Ha! Now look who’s the simpleton!’

Said Colin mockingly,

‘Now, sir, what can you say to that?

What words can silence me?

 

There’s none! I know, for there you are

As dazed as I had been.

O, E, you’re quite a clever one,

That’s twice your wits did win.

 

Now, Captain, if you’d be so kind,

You’ve yet to let me know

What foolish twit not long ago

Had dared to mock me so.’

-EDP