Author's Note: This poem is from the POV of William of Tyre, historian of Jerusalem and Baldwin's personal tutor. It is written according to the details he provided in his historical text of the event. In 'The Last King of Legends: The Sovereign Gambit', William describes this scene to one of Baldwin's guardians, but here you can see it for yourself.
<~>~<~>~<~>
He was a child playing childish games.
I watched from my scholar balcony as he jested
with other lads of the court—
carefree, laughing, friendly taunting and challenges.
They played the same pastime as they had before—
pinching one another until each cried out in pain,
but then they would share a laugh and tell
of great deeds they would one day do.
One-by-one each boy felt the clawing pain.
One after another, each child succumbed with a cry
then cuddled the injured arm close
until it came to the prince.
One taunter reached to inflict the prince's pain.
He wore a brilliant grin on his face,
which soon faltered and faded into confusion
when the prince presented no sign of pain.
Another rougher boy pushed the other aside.
He would show the prince the real feeling of pain.
Baldwin offered both his arms for such a task.
A smile touched his lips
while a cry was never uttered.
Surely he must feel something.
Perhaps he thought a prince should express no pain,
but he is wrong.
Blood steeped down his arms.
The boys were cutting him now,
but still no pain graced his face.
No pain ever would,
for his face would be gone before he felt the pain
only felt in the soul.
YOU ARE READING
King Baldwin IV
Historical FictionYear 1174, a boy at age thirteen is suddenly thrust into power upon the death of his father, King Amalric. He inherits a kingdom at war--the Kingdom of Jerusalem. However, he possesses a secret. He is dying of leprosy. Knowing he could be cast out o...
