Iselda Coral Branch - Alliterative Verse

Hwæt! We of the Sea-Thrones, with wondering ears,

From one Occitan song-carver hear odes

Whose great guidance true gentlemen heed.

Admirable sister-of-Alais shall advise Us now:

With what might We reward well-wrought skill?

Madame de Narbonne, with each eager verse

Fair Atlantia flourishes, finding strength;

Thou, who many lands’ meters mastered

To terrify ignobles, We today induct

At Our 12th Night feast, year Fifty-Four.

Iselda harp-tamer, hie thou hence

On clear currents with our Coral Branch.

Our true test? To earn thy earnest tribute:

To grant Her Grace,“That was a good King!”

Calligraphy by Lady Kaaren Valravn

Poem by Lord Ishmael Reed

Exemplar and Inspiration: Beowulf Cotton MS Vitellius A XV f132r

HǷÆT ǷE OF ÐE

sea þrones ƿiþ ƿondering ears

from one occitan songcarver hear odes

ƿhose great guidance true gentlemen heed •

admirable sister-of-alais shall advise us noƿ

ƿiþ ƿhat might ƿe reƿard ƿell ƿrought skill •

madame de narbonne ƿiþ each eager verse

fair atlantia flourishes finding strengþ

ðou ƿho many lands meters mastered

to terrify ignobles • ƿe today induct

at our tƿelfþ night feast year fifty four •

iselda harptamer hie ðou hence

on clear currents ƿiþ our coral branch •

our true test to earn ðy earnest tribute

to grant her grace •