Apologies for the lack of a proper video on this one. The Song of Sir Melion was a collaboration that I was doing with Colette that was very tricky to record, and getting the audio finished was on a rather tight deadline.
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"THE SONG OF SIR MELION" - written by Colette the Bard
At the time when King Arthur reigned
There was a much-beloved knight
Sir Melion with his courtly grace
Served his king with great pride
He married the daughter of Ireland's king.
They lived happily for three years
She bore him sons and brought him joy,
But woe, she brought him tears.
One day in summer the knight wished to hunt
And brought both his wife and his squire
They chased their hounds as away they sped
Til they began to tire
While resting in a forest glade,
A rustling came from the trees
The lady saw in a thicketed shade
The grandest stag e'er seen
She said, “Never have I seen its match
Graceful, noble, strong and true
I'll surely die should you not catch
This stag you see before you,
My life, oh love, will be through.”
“Oh precious Wife,” Sir Melion said,
“I beg you, please do not cry.
See this ring upon my hand,
And let your tears run dry.
With two fine stones this ring it is set
One ruby red, and one white.
No simple ring is this my love,
Now witness its great might:
Should I strip out of my clothes and my shoes
and stand here naked instead
Take this ring and place the white stone
Upon the crown of my head
A beastly wolf I shall become
A hunter of great might,
And I will chase this stag for you
And slay it on this night.
He said, “Never have I told of this
Without this ring, a wolf I stay
Man no more both night and day,
My lover, my wife, be true.
And I'll bring down this stag for you.”
Oh Melion, what have you done?
Oh knight, I pity you well.
For as you hunt in the forest tonight,
Your wife has this secret I'll tell:
Away with your squire, she runs from the glade,
Kissing with mirth and delight
As back to her kingdom in Ireland she makes
With no heed to your plight.
So Melion traveled to Ireland's shore
To find the false love he had wed
When through the woods came a line of knights,
King Arthur at their head
Though Melion could no longer speak
He took his fate in his hands,
Went straight to Arthur and laid at his feet
And would not rise again.
Never had Arthur seen such a sight
Said he, “This wolf belongs to me
If any would harm him, then punished they'll be
This wolf shall stay by my side,
Now onwards we will ride.”
So at his King's stirrups the wolf kept apace
Matching the horse's each stride.
The king of Ireland, for Arthur prepared
A feast of which none know the likes
But Lo! In the back of the room stood the man
Who had stolen Sir Melion's wife!
And Melion ran at the squire with all haste
And sought to end his life.
The armed men of Ireland drew out their swords
And attempted the wolf to slay,
But King Arthur shouted, “This wolf it is mine!
You shall not harm him I say!
If this wolf did not hate you, he never would strike.
For his manner is gentle, you see.
So tell me oh squire, and do not dare lie.
What you have done to he?
“Never did I mean him harm,”
The squire wailed, but confessed the whole plot.
Arthur demanded the princess be brought
To speak before the king
Along with Melion's ring.
The fair princess of Ireland
Came shaking before Arthur's might.
She gave the ring and begged for her life
And then was removed from his sight.
And to private chambers was Melion brought.
The ring was touched to his brow.
Restored once more to the form of a man
And at Arthur's feet fell down
Rise, Sir Melion and be not ashamed
This trick was played upon you.
And King Arthur called for the princess again
And asked Melion what he would do
Shall she be beaten, or shall she be slain?
For your revenge is deserved
But say the word and your will carried out
What shall be done with her?
And Melion cried, Never Shall I lay my eyes
On this viper e'er again
Save our sons, you'd suffer as I
And ne'er be human again.
Now ne'er shall we meet again!
Thus end the tale of Sir Melion,
A gentle and courtly knight
For though his kindness and love were betrayed
Yet still he spared her life.
I swear by my lute that this song, it is true
For so the bards have said.
All hail the tale of Sir Melion,
A knight both wolf and man.
His grace is matched by none
Sir Melion
13 сен 2024
