-1-
There once upon a time-
I am sure that is the rhyme-
Were two cards in patience hand.
Fate’s decree was that they blend-
Queen of Spades and Knave of Hearts-
Amid wine, champagne and tarts
That were served to guests that day
In a surreptitious way.
-2-
Dressed in black, pale-white the face
Silver-dangling, wrapped in lace
Granting nods to favored ones
Queen of Spades-a dame of hunts.
Knave of Hearts, well-known saint
Cunning glance that makes dames faint
Quickly noticed the Queen
Who could hardly not be seen.
-3-
And approaching her side
“Will you be my slave or bride?”
Uttered he, for code of court
Can excuse men of such sort.
Code forgives-but not the Queen
For her heart is hard to win
Wrapping marble arms in fur
“Je n’sais pas anglais,monsieur!”
-4-
“Mais madame!”-the pirate plait.
“Nous pouvons parler francais.
Si c’est la seule chose qui gene
La belle Dame qui vient d’la Seine.
Elle tombe bien la soiree,
Fait tomber tous hommes frappe.”
“Dear Sir”-the answer was.
“Vous savez qu’je suis serieuse
It’s a pity, vous savez,
Que vous me parlez francais.
For I now have to choose
Language that you couldn’t use.”
-5-
“Dear Lady, praise t’your mind
It’s not easy now to find.
But you need no word, much less
Nod’s more eloquent than yes.”
-6-
“You’re a brute”-the Lady sighed
“Neither slave you’ll get nor bride
But a challenge-un duel
At the twelfth strike of the bell
In the graveyard. You may choose
Weapons with which you won’t lose.
Choose the second, better three
For the diggers they will be
As the consequence of fight
That’ll take place this very night.”
-7-
“You may call me brute or saint.
But before it is too late
I much more prefer your words
Than your deadly fatal swords.
I am a gentleman, you know
I don’t kill Dames this way, no.”
-8-
“Dazzling words is fright’s resort.
You are frightened, are you not?
For as epitaphic word
You’ll have “Killed by Lady’s sword.”
-9-
Piqued by such a smart retort
Knave of Hearts consents by nod,
Gives a bow, kisses hand
Bides goodbye and…off he went.
-10-
Now I’ll tell you of the site
They have chosen for fight.
Tranquil graveyard, branchy trees
That at night nobody sees.
Nasty rumors of the dead
That can be at night there met.
-11-
At that very moonlit night
Robbers chose that very site
As a place to hide the gold
Of which they had taken hold.
Knowing nothing of the fight
That was to take place that night.
“Dig a hole! And hide the gold!
Do as you are now told!”
Cursing hissed the robber chief,
A well-known cunning thief.
Saying this he heard the bell
Calling that the midnight fell.
"Listen, mates! I hear the steps!
These are our cheated friends.
Who have come to get the or
And to settle our score."
-12-
So the robbers took their knives
To defend their worthless lives
Waiting for the men to come
Sharping knives and drinking rum.
-13-
Knave of Hearts and Queen of Spades
Their Seconds-their best mates-
Were approaching the place
For the enemies to face.
Frightened by the violent fight
That was to take place that night
Lady Moon wrapped up in fur
Of the clouds near her.
-14-
Darkness falls as if black ink
And the whereabouts sink
In the vagueness of the blind
It’s impossible to find
Anything without light
Still it cannot stop the fight.
-15-
Suddenly they heard a voice
“So, the death’s your own choice
No gold for you, ye see!
Blood and cut and grave for free!”
-16-
In acknowledging the threat
Our duelists forget
That they are to fight to death
Taking swords and holding breath.
I should say that if their fight
Took place there in the night
We would see a masterpiece
For they’re both skilled in pierce.
But it took them little time
To cut short this useless mime.
“Damned bad luck! What can I say!
But we can go on this way.”
Said the Queen and raised the sword
Eager to keep true her word.
-17-
They met half-way. Swords in hands
Eager to decide the stance.
Acute movement, clink of brass
Queen is sinking on the grass…
And a somber carmine mess
Mars the back of Lady’s dress.
But another cry was heard-
For the Knave has a quick sword-
And the robber left alive
Was mown down by Death’s sharp scythe.
-18-
Swift night’s voyage, orders, lights
Calm advice and doctors’ sighs.
Days of hopes, nights of waits
Feeble breath and stone traits.
Day and night beside her bed
Knave of Hearts in silence spent.
Nobody is to blame
For the dying of the Dame.
Final breaths-the doctors weep
Wishing smooth eternal sleep,
Leaving room for him to bide
Final word at Lady’s side.
-19-
Silent house. Candlelight.
Shadows dancing. Summer night.
Sleepless nights beside her bed
Feebled him and made him faint.
-20-
Morning rays. He woke sad
Ready for a corpse in bed.
But the cheeks in perfect bloom
Do not seem the ones from tomb.
Calming breath and…smiling beam
That can be of those who dream.
And on opening her eyes
She sits up in bed and smiles.
“Death has come to me with scythe…
Kisses that have saved my life…
It’s one thousand you gave
For me to escape the grave?”