Poem for a Young Friend

I have a Scottish friend whose little boy once left a sock at my house. His Scottish background had nothing to do with losing the sock (in fact, I think most Scots hold onto their socks very tightly). It was only that his foot was very small and the sock very light. I decided to mail it to him with a poem, because a little sock in an envelope seemed to need accompaniment. The boy's name is Rhuidrih, which is approximately pronounced "Rory;" it means "Red King." I needed a poem about a king who lost footwear, and as I worked on it, it got more serious than the ditty I originally intended. Here it is, with a variant of the Gaelic spelling, which I hope my young friend won't mind.

Victory of the Red King

King Rhodri, challenged by the Dane,

Rode forth his title to retain

While nobles followed at his will

To thwart the treacherous foe.

To thwart the foe his nobles rode

While in the rear his poor troops strode

Shoeless, tattered, loyal still,

Foot soldiers 'gainst the foe.

Foot soldiers 'gainst the foe were they;

King Rhodri tarried in the way,

Surveyed his troops, then cried out “Halt!

Behold these peasants' feet!

“These peasants' feet do stain our road,

Dragged for miles 'neath heavy load

Their steps of blood the battle mark,

Yet none do beg retreat.”

Yea none did beg retreat nor flew;

The king, amazed, his great sword drew;

“Hark, noblemen—this day our might

Is writ in peasant blood.

“This peasant blood doth show the way,

Nor sword nor spear will win the day,

Nor horse nor shield the foe will rout--

But this great sacrifice--

Great sacrifice, beyond all price,

Tho' hidden in a pauper's guise.”

Then king, his nobles to inspire,

Removed his own shoes.

Removed his own shoes, then held

Full forth his sword and gilded shield,

With naked feet he led his band

Of nobles high and low.

Nobles high and low went forth

To battle on the enemy turf,

And scornful Danes did point and jeer

At this, a weakened foe.

A weakened foe, or so they thought

Not knowing victory would be bought

By men emboldened by their king

Who unshod took the field.

Unshod he took the battlefield

Where scornful Dane was sure he'd yield,

Mocks and jeers, like javelins thrown,

Did meet the hero band.

But hero band did lift the sword,

The spear, the bow, and at the word

Of their dear king, with fearsome shout

They broke the enemy line.

Broke enemy line; but scornful Dane

Made one last, lasting mark of pain:

The royal steed's white flanks were smeared

With blood from Rhodri's feet.

For Rhodri's feet, in battle fierce,

Alone of all his men's were pierced;

His nobles, peasants, all could stand,

But not their sovereign lord.

And this is how the tale doth go:

That Honor honored those below.

Kingly feet, once well-prepared,

Humility caused to be bared.

Miming the lowly, the Red King gave

To every man, soul to be brave.