Atonement Vows
Mine father hast scorned thee,
thus he locked thee in a tower.
Didst thou truly believe the same of me?
Hast thou no faith in true love’s power,
whilst mine adoration continues to flower?
I shalt come for thee on a midsummer’s night,
scaling thy tower without fear of fall.
Ye will find mine heart contrite,
standing before thee in a confining wall,
I shalt give thee a symbol that thy doubt will forestall.
With this letter is a ring from the queen’s jewelry chest;
keepest it hidden ‘til the evil force hast been overthrown.
In a fortnight mine own army will ensure the king hast been laid to rest
and ‘tis I who shalt assume the throne.
Whilst ye wait, prithee allowest me to atone.
‘Neath the halo of the next full moon,
I shalt travel to thee. Peer out thy window;
Thou will findeth me crooning love’s tune.
Unashamed, fearless, I shalt put on a show,
vowing to save thee from thy most wretched foe.
*For Michael Smith’s Early Modern English Poetry Contest
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