A Return

I went a king’s way, that is, maddened on the run
Bent and beaten by a wind, melted by the sun;
After bloody battles, victory each time mine
Justice rendered swiftly, parchments duly signed
A holy fire rose within, I left my command
For mountain, river, the mighty glen and woodland;
To live on locust, hazelnut, strawberry
Watercress and streamwater, honey from the golden bee
All the king¡s horses, all the king’s men
They couldn’t bring the king back to them
Ancient voices called from the corner of the wood
Soothing and delighting and guiding all at once
The brave song of the crickets, red hounds running sure
My wild dear companions, spirits bold and pure
Salted every season, wintered in spring
Danced with the raven to a burning violin
All the king’s horses, all the king’s men
They couldn’t bring the king back to them
It burned and it tempered after a short long while
Now torn on mossy stone the strings lie long behind
So too wine and women, light their darkness lets in
Are now unwanted where cricket for cricket sings;
Where the rough beasts roam only for to feast on flesh
To have their fun with a carcass stripped when fresh
With them he wanders year long till eternity
Mountain, river, northern wind, free from sanity
All the king’s horses, all the king’s men
They couldn’t bring the king back àgain