Curia

Curia

The King came by imperiously and sat him on his throne,
with crown set firmly on his brow,
and face set hard as stone.

And next came Bishop Pieté, stout pillar of the Church,
a man renowned for sophistry,
and more so for his girth.

Lord Aragaunce came next in line, his chin held wondrous high;
and close behind him came his page,
the stiff, hard-hearted Pryde.

Count Avaris, the Treasurer, with searching eyes like lances,
and pouches hung beneath each one,
now through the court advances.

The Dame Vulpina followed close, her charm so greatly vaunted
a mask for innate deviousness.
She held the court enchanted.

And Doctor d’Arque crept slowly in – the crook-back Chief Tactician;
a clerk from whom all men had learned
to keep a healthy distance.

Sir Bullivere brought up the rear, the Champion of the Crown
(and many a back had this man stabbed,
and kicked those lying down).

But one whom all payed homage to, and praised his noble station,
whose name fell easy from their lips
as worthy of their nation –

old Honour stood by sheepishly, the knave no courtier trusted,
his eyes downcast, his spurs at stand,
his sword firm-sheathed and rusted.


(From ‘Journeys in Time’ )


It’s an ‘olde-worlde’ jingle this time; but cast the briefest of glances at the  actors, large and small, walking today’s corridors of power, and, well… Voilà!