On the footholds of Albion, Two kings of their kingdom, Stood before each other. The Lion - travelled from the seven hills, Had crossed the channel, And made its way to the land of the goddess, Where it did make its presence known, “For I am the true king and all must bow…” And it roared mightily, Scaring the birds into submission, All swooping, And bowing before it. |
Then replied the other creature, The Stag – of Breten Veur, Had been born in the heart of the native forest, Where it has always been known, “No one king rules this land, only man…” And it bowed its head, Respecting the birds into trust, All swooping, And bowing before it. The Lion was displeased, For the Stags way undermined its own, And so the Lion called out, “In my homeland, There is talk of one like you, With horns, And hooves, To poke and stamp, Leading astray…” |
The birds grew unsure,
For they had always known the Stag.
The Stag stayed silent.
The silence bothered the Lion,
For the Stags way undermined its own,
And so the Lion called out,
“Come and join me,
And you shall see,
All the things you love,
Will be continued,
So below,
As above,
The way you sing,
The way you dance,
The way you lure yourself into trance,
The way you cheer,
The way you flee,
All of these,
Will come through me.”
The birds grew sure,
For they believed they would be safe.
The Stag stayed silent.
And so the birds followed the Lion,
And made him their king,
And he continued to damn the Stag,
Whilst allowing the birds to sing,
Until one day he broke their beaks,
Saying how they reminded him so,
Of the horns of the stag,
And how he tied their dancing feet,
Saying how they reminded him so,
Of the hooves of the stag.
And then,
When the time came,
The Lion ate and devoured the birds.
A few escaped,
Realising what was,
And flew back to the Stag,
Which was still waiting in its place,
And the Stag welcomed them home,
And nursed them back to health,
For they had realised,
Where true wealth lay,
And they would remember,
Each and every day.