"The Insult"
("Traveler's Tale VI")

This is an exciting Traveler's Tale.  - poetheart 09/04/01

Upon such little trifles, mon-
A life is spared or lost.
Ye'd better mind yer manners, lad-
Ye can't afford the cost!

Ye've spilt me ale, ye clumsy oaf-
An' foolishly ye laughed!
An' now ye put yer 'and to sword-
Why, laddie, ye are daft!

So be it, then! En garde, ye rogue!
A tit calls fer a tat-
I'll try and make it short an' sweet,
To end our bloody spat.

Ye've used a blade, 'tis verra plain.
Fer tha' I'm mighty glad-
Fer if I killed a clumsy fool,
Then I'd be passin' sad.

Ah, 'twas a mighty pretty move-
An' quite a blade ye carry...
Toledo, I am fairly sure-
Faith! 'twas a lovely parry!

Ha' done! We've tarried long enough
I must be on me way-
'Tis more than passin' 'ard I find,
This cheeky oaf to slay.

What's at ye say? Apology?
An' would I feign accept it?
Aye, lad, you swing an 'andsome blade-
Too late ye almost left it.

Aye, I will lift a cup wi' you-
Ye say you'll buy the ale?
'Tis more than fair, I'll do me share-
And spin a Traveler's Tale.

by John R. Yaws

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