The Salteriello (A Midevial Dance)

The Knight & the Layde meet for the first time at her betrothal to his Father. This is a combined write by both Ken & I. The knight speaks first.

Layde come this dance with me
let sweetness touch thine arm
you know not me as I do you
thou holds my world in charm

Oh Diety Mine catch for me
what cannot be for not
my heart be stilled and wonder free
this dance … this night … this jaunt

I see you play the joyful one
yet let me show thy laughter
betrothed to take away from you
and hold you ever after

an agreement made in politic
a dowry mine shall weld
bend thine ear to this heretic
eyes of azure mine heart has held

I scourge away that darkest thought
and spin away its meaning
stamp away the devils heat
and curse away his stealing

this dance woven as fine mantle’s wool
whilst betrothed mine convened intoxicate
another man’s eyes and lips to pull
mine heart loyalty distort too late

Here we meet as I see you
display'd in all such charm
as wonder'd gaze and lithesome limb
to hold away from harm

oh that this my betrothed offspring
would this doomed marriage mine tarry
a smile and rouge of cheeks do ring
of desire mine this knight of youth to marry

As galleried minstrel play light step
and boy sing bright and clear
I hold mine heart for you to dance
and brush away thy fear

be still mine heart and smile betray
whilst my heart and loins do stir
no greater beauty have mine eyes laid
than on this young and knighted sir

I see who you are betrothed soft girl
an' I love thee all my days
for none come close from now til death
whatever time delay

Music be quick to turn me back
to a point where we didst meet
affection did not his azure eyes lack
once more again for his touch mine greet

for delay I wish for thine sweet heart
lest it rob thee of thy youth
for yon blackguard who holds thee now
is darkest light i'truth.

Time stop again and yet once more
at the point where this dance will bring
my hands and eyes to greet, heart torn
for this night mine knight mine heart does sing

Thy youth, his age, his lecherous mien
should ever hold thy virgin'd flower
to violence away of sweet you
an' own thee in that hour

penetrate mine heart can I not allow
a man not him shall my chastity take
that on mine night of marriage vow
will his father be upon bed consummate

for I would love thee an' place thee high
above this world's foul state
thy love, this dove thou wouldst give me
an' I would death debate

beyond what is here and can be matched
eternity’s stars cannot more astound
must there exist outside time’s catch
the chance far off love with him abound

An yet thou knows me not this poor
son of thy beggared affiance
the one who stands and wishes away
the fruit of that first slipped glance.

wealth nor time occupation mind I
for his touch doth a fire upon mine skin burn
let not be this betrothal feast mine
the final day of mine sight of him turn

Thine eyes find mine across this hall
as priest now bind thine arm
to hold you fast and sink all hope
if captured by thy charm

 Grant me, deity, one moment more...

There will be more.

Author's Note

We did this as a collaborative integrated write because this is the point in the story when they first meet. We wrote the two pieces separately and then welded them together...no changes were made to either separate piece as they were welded together.

Reviews

[Rory CJ Frankson]

Yes I found this to be a believable courtship banter in period, and the unpinnings of innuendo does tease, that pre- renaissance romanticism. A womans death of independance and choices, for binding marrage? The mans demands, to extending lineage and protection? Like in nature, the male birds fluffing of feathers and attractive dance in the ritual attraction of the proposed mating. The male and female needs, so different in their necessities. Still maintained in our times in different social responcablities, for the same reasons. Neat to look upon a older traditional rendition of this courting.

as wonder'd gaze and lithesome limb
to hold away from harm

must there exist outside time’s catch
the chance far off love with him abound

Thine eyes find mine across this hall
as priest now bind thine arm
to hold you fast and sink all hope
if captured by thy charm

In this collaboration, it holds that distinctive feel of character and reads like a scripted play... to audience. That revealing of dialouge entwined, with the accompanying thoughts of both parties. It holds very well to period expectations, that we the audience. Can really only wonder at, and admire. Wish to be more connected to the romantic notions of Historic past...
I was entertained.
An enjoyable engagement, it seemed. As the creativity, flow... between.
Write On... Romon in Review.

[Fran Marie]

A most beautiful collaboration you two... quite lovely in every wat~

Kudos!!

[Ladysue]

This collaboration really integrated well for not changing a thing. you didn't have to...I love the feel and the style of this. It does read as a scripted play as one reviewer put it...a wonderful piece that I so enjoyed reading...

[Dezaraye]

Wow. This weaves such a magical, beautiful tapestry. I love the feel to it. I keep saying this, but I am blown away by these new pieces of yours. I love the classic language, the styling, the feel to it. I love the way these mesh together and how distinct the two voices are. It was a good choice to make no changes so that the individual voices have their own sound and feel to them. Bravo, you two.

[Ken Simm.]

It is amazing how we wrote this. I do mean that. And I've only rated your bit. Which is the best bit