It's little known outside the realm
But I have privy knowledge
A bit of hidden Viking lore
Not found in Eaton's college
Red Eric was both bold and strong
On land he had no equal
Had early history been unchanged
He would have had no sequel
Quite early in his Viking life
He proved that he could lead
No foe that ever faced his blade
Could come near match his speed
He studied at his father's knee
The manly art of war
He'd drive an enemy insane
With his berserker roar
But he could not set foot on deck
Of ship of any size
Except his red rimmed face turn green
He'd plead for his demise
As one would think, this proved to be
A handicap, it's plain
To lead seagoing wolf pack raids
His image to retain
He had to find a way to sail
That did not make him ill
So in that quest he searched the land
For one who had the skill
To make the mal de mer he faced
Of no real consequence
He found a hedge witch by the sea
And offered recompense
If she could only find a way
For him to ride the waves
Make sure the stomach he so fears
No longer misbehaves
She said, "Good sir, I'll take your pelf
And mold your heart's desire
Just know the changes I will work
Will hold 'til you ride fire!"
She drew her magic from the waves
That Eric wished to ride
She met him at the water's edge
At turning of the tide
She cast her spell, he felt the power
The changes neatly wrought
No longer was it wind and waves
Against which Eric fought
His dragon boat became to him
As steady as the land
No more he feared the pitch and yaw
Gave strength to his command
But there's a price all heroes pay
And all the mighty stumble
That like Achilles and his heel
A weakness keeps them humble
As leader Eric was the best
Won every raid he planned
But once he put his sea legs on
He could not walk on land
Richard Higley © July 2012