The Lay of Mount Petite Jean

Canto VI: Joining the Crew.

So maiden wilts beneath the noble's gaze
As sternest eyes on peasant girl were laid.
With judging glare they quickened pulse had brought,
And peasant fears that nobles surely caught

The maid who sought to steal away on ship
By joining crew and taking part in trip.
But noble spoke and stoked a foreign fear
Yet one that maid herself hadn't thought to hear.

"In such small of a frame does yet largest of valor now lie?
But I fear I am tasked to deny you request you've made
For a man who's so small in his frame and in figure so slight

Will yet surely possess the oceans so deep as his grave.
For the seas are a place for those hearty and stout in their stance
What you ask of me only from nature and birth can be gave.

We will neither yet shrink, or from greatest of dangers yet glance.
I require from my sailors both strength and a skill on the deck
In a battle with pirates or tempest you'd stand not a chance.

And would surely be doomed if the vessel we sail were to wreck.
You'd not tread on the waters for long with your shoulders so weak
And the weight of the chores like a yoke would yet bear on your neck.

For so many a difficult task are on voyage you seek
And no sickness that's found in that world where we go you'd endure.
For your frame is to slight and you possess a constitution that's meek

Not a wound nor an ailment you gain could be healed or yet cured.
So now turn from your path for your case I won't hear,
And by pleading and cries I won't change or by words be inured.

This is voyage too awful and thing to be highly yet feared.
For the seas are yet dire and great more than peasant does know,
And your safety and life, you should hold to yourself yet more dear

For your death with this voyage would surely and quickly be sowed."

Then hearing words the maiden's heart does seize,
And loves response does cause her blood to freeze.
For maiden never thought that man might turn her down
Refusing offer made by one who'd serve the crown.

And surely captain needs more crew to make
This voyage current proving so hard and great.
So maiden stands now still and stricken dumb
And looks for way to loose her frozen tongue,

But none do come to mind of maiden spurn
Who failed to make the mind of captain turn.
Then slowly noble readies self to leave,
And maiden acts now quick by grabbing sleeve.

To look for words to turn aside his will
That maid might journey forth on voyage still.

"To voyage forth on vaunted goal
At will of king is noble's role.
A service man's intent to fill
By using all his wit and skill.

And very few would risk their life
By going forth to face this strife,
Nor leave the comfort found in home,
And highest seas then set to roam.

But still a fickle one is noble man
Rejecting help on voyage king has planned.
A choosing beggar's prince of France's lands
Rejecting help of those who lend their hands.

But still your plight I seek to aid
That highest honors swiftly made."

At hearing words, the prince for time did pause
Though swearing firm he'll heed not peasant's cause.
To look for ways to turn the boy from task,
And striving hard he thought of boon to ask.

In hopes that favor's far too much to grant
For man so small in size with frame so scant
He sets his mind to make a contest great
That man when seeing task might sure abate.

Thus turning fool from death he hasty sought
By meeting man with saber finely wrought.

"Then a contest I ask that the peasant may make of his quest
So you'll see what a foolish and terrible favor you ask.
For then surely you'll know what I've spoken is ever for best,