The Wizard Prince

The Wizard Prince


The snow flew thickly all about
as I the battle-field peruse
five armies trenched in brief redoubt
to soon the peaceful plain abuse…

Five generals those fires bestride
among the steel and flints
ever watchful on the tide
and buglers ready at their side
to sight the wizard prince…
The fateful wizard prince


In colors do the pennants fly
the rampant red and fearful black
full families their fortunes try
in ready piles their swords they stack…

Five generals to meet at night
and parlay fierce with gentle hints
their gold and silver laid to sight
precursors of the grievous fight
to gain the wizard prince…
The fickle wizard prince


And two a quick advantage gain
in seeming strength two hosts array
and three their armies do restrain
as if to hold them from the fray…

Five generals advance, retreat
as if by action to evince
to massed armies at their feet
a taste of victory so sweet
helped by the wizard prince…
That clever wizard prince


And soon the dead lay thickly strewn
three generals the field had fled
two armies fought on 'neath the moon
one black, one colored scarlet red…

Two generals then do kneel to pray
a sacred power to convince
for each knew that the vict’ry lay
in magic used without delay
brought by the wizard prince…
The furtive wizard prince


About the floor the cards were tossed
upon the table green was stacked
and one man stood to count the cost
for he had won, four others lost
when dealt the face his rivals lacked…
That wizard prince, the one-eyed jack