A Praise-Poem for Perrin

Lord (now Baron) Sylvanus Perrin, while Warlord of the Barony of Storvik, was well-known for the time and effort he put into teaching the new fighters of the barony. In thanks, they wanted to present him with tokens of gratitude during court. The ringleader of this effort, one Finn O'Donovan who would eventually succeed Perrin as warlord, asked if I would contribute a poem for the occassion. I read this while plucking my harp, as the fighters of the barony presented Perrin with their thanks.

Listen oh lords       learn of a man
Whose skilled sword-arm     swift and deadly
Leads our war-band      lads in bright mail
Against the foe     enemies of Storvik

Sylvanus Perrin      proud his people
Sing loud his deeds      daring man he
Fierce in battle     foes are afraid
Bright Johanna¹     battle-maid she
Knows of his worth      wishes a song

Brave the man with      biting flame-tongue
Fighting, killing     on fields of war
Wise the man with      men in the hall
Practice again     over and over
Making fighters     fit for praise-song
Bold brash battler      but bones will be
Without the drill      the drill, the drill
Til arm-weary     asks to stop
Will you stop, youth     on wind-swept field?

See with the men     shield-maids in hall
Valiant Valkyr     Valhal’s vassals
Pleased with Perrin      depart that place
Fierce shield-maidens     now serving Storvik²

Bright the harp-song     but brighter yet
Fame for this man      Fifty-Fights Perrin³
Echo this praise     else leave the hall:
Ave! Ave!      Ave! Ave!

Notes:

1 - Johanna von Sudeborn, baroness of Storvik in that year, now a Mistress of the Laurel.
2 - Perrin made especial efforts to recruit and retain lady fighters.
3 - This I got wrong; it should be Sixty-Fights Perrin. Several years running, he sponsored the "Sixty in Sixty," a challenge to heavy fighters to fight sixty one-on-one combats in sixty days. He himself completed the challenge many years running.