A Worthy Opponent

I once went to the fighting grounds,

Where men hone skills as well as swords,

There stood two play'rs in the rounds,

With not'ble lack of careless words. 

The first stood tall and lumb'red thus,

As wolf does stalk his helpless prey.

I doubted he was one of us,

Dressed so in blue and silv'ry-grey.

His chall'nger bore a lighter stance,

And cape of jauntiest red that mocks.

His fine cutlass stood ne'er a chance

Against such foe that heav'ly knocks.

Nor did I know these duelers two,

But such a graveness gripped my heart;

This gut has always dealt me true,

That I did not hence dare depart.

Begin! And so they did with new display

Of lightning speed and ringing blades,

But neither could the other slay

With expert fire nor strike nor thrust.

The fight grew fiercer and with force

That we forgot what's fair and right.

New rules had taken up this course;

T'was ruthless, breathless and in flight.

to be continued...