The pommel is brass wire bound
and finished with a silver boss.
The bright steel blade is hollow ground
and with the pommel formed a cross.
A sword fit for a Christian knight.
A simple but efficient tool
or a young man who’d sworn to fight
to overturn the Paynim’s rule.
Though now held by the Saracen
the holy land was Christian.
A dedicated band of men
have vowed to win it back again.
Young hopefuls flocked to the crusade
in search of fortune and of fame.
Each one dependent on his blade
to survive and make his name.
My ancestor went and he returned
an older and a wiser man.
Passed on the lessons he had learned
and that is where this tale began.
His sword has been handed on
for many generations now.
From eldest son to eldest son
and very proudly kept on show.
It hangs above my fireplace
beside its scabbard free from rust.
Both are protected by a case
We take precautions ‘Cos we must
Ensure that it is safely kept
until it passes to my son.
A duty eldest sons accept.
They have no choice it must be done.
A thousand years of history
contained in one crusaders sword.
The young knights motto plain to see
but hard to read: I keep my word.
27-Feb-07
ivor .e hogg
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-keep-my-word-story-poem/
