sw00370jt-b1.e5

Justan Tamarind: Book I       e5                             



Of science; and now you stand in the ranks.
What is your purpose?"  "Luborga, my thanks
To you," Hugh responds.  And then to be
More easily heard, he jogs up a plank
To the royal platform.  "Listen to me.
People of Moiland, listen to me; for
Today your lives shall change; your eyes not see
These plumes and flowing costumes anymore.
People of Moiland, for sixteen years war

And all its machinations have been at rest;
And I have grown.  But soon another test
Of our convictions will be mapped; and then:
Who shall be the Aethean viper's guest?
I--I: and every worthy youth.  Those men
Who clotted in the trenches, who were torn
From strength to wheelchairs are alive again
In us; for though they fell when we were born,
Their ghosts shall make us stand, though rows of corn

And evergreens catch and drink our blood.
Yes, before we laughed, creeping through the mud;
Before we walked--they died: Prince John of Kolle,
Lifting his auburn beard against Otud
At Lake Odango; Mount Nareb's soul,
Karkarmon; Prince Harr himself (bright son
Of Leoma's queen mother, piquant Zal),
Who might have been our king; dark Marion
Of the alligator tangles, who won

Eleven battles; Imara and my
Father, valiant men, who had to lie
In fever near Damorca while Nimain
Defeated their troops.  --House of DeVry.--
Friends, your king this day has nothing to gain
As he did then, and yet I understand
His hesitation.  Mine would be the same.
But, friends, I do not sit in Justan's hand
Like so much clay, because the spear and band

Of holy Tamarind's glories pass;
And the sheep that meekly chewed the grass
And bleated to the shearer at his call
Will find the ancient torch of power has
Been handed on to them.  'Now watch it fall,'
Some shepherds say.  Sheep?  You are not sheep;
But I am standing here for you are all
Untrained and unprepared, and I must keep
Good Justan's wit alive yet wound that sweep





Brian A. J. Salchert