Some of those elder knights I can’ t ever place in the proper century
were certainly ventury.
Some took almost unbelievable chances
Of getting themselves impaled on lances.
While some sallied forth to battle dragons,
Others drank from doubtful-vintage flagons;
Occasionally they got themselves entangled in the goshawfullest messes
By dashing to the aid of longhaired damsels in varying kinds of distresses.
For the life of me I can’ t see why a lot of zany characters should rather be mounted metal fortresses
Than to study up and get themselves Jobs , say like bellhops or portresses.
Hardly anybody then had time for Canasta, stamp-collecting or doodling
Because of so much feudaling.
As though the ordinary hazards weren’t enough of the severe,
Some knights like Lancelot risked a quick swipe from Arthur’s
trusty blade over Guinevere.
Between two knights, one of the more scientific ways of maiming,
hacking and busting
Was known as jousting.
{Now, what occurs between two nights
Is just called a day.)
Withal, however, I conclude no knight ever took the risks ,
forsooth, nor was he so adroit
As a modern daredevil who chances the family car on a quick
run through Detroit.
by Ray Romine Wednesday, March 22, 1950
