A knight in shining black, anonymous — his lance
without a single mark, and see the princess’ glance,
selects him over lords and all the greedy baronets.
She ties a silver cord around his lance — an amulet
to quench the rivalry of warriors that want her hand
despite their chivalry, they yearn to rule the land.
and listen you can hear them grind, daggers, axes for the kill
a tourney winner cannot mind, and only fools rely on skill.
See! as pale sun reflects on the black knight’s silent head
his unmarked shield deflects the blows that wish him dead,
and every suitor of the princess fall, his aim still good and arm
is stronger than them all, they fail to cause him any harm.
His steed is proud and black and when he felled his foes
he leaves his maiden all alone to music of departing hooves.
She’s saved from suitors greed but still a single tear
shed for gallantry and deeds but for the knights remain their fear.
Orlando Furioso by Gustave Doré
Today we are having a ball at dVerse. A real torney with knights and ladies and whatever you want to have.
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February 24, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
You have really taken the reader back to those times, Bjorn. I can definitely see why the princess selected the black knight. Ha, I am sure he had many suitors, but it sounds as though he is quite elusive. (I may be wrong there.)
For some reason, a certain type of girl always chooses the bad boy.
Your poem reflects my memories of knights, princesses and jealous suitors. The script for an epic or a movie.
Enchanting tale!
interesting line about “only fools rely on skill”. Give your black night a bit of a sinister feel…but yet he is the princess’s choice. Great tale!
a rather enchanting read bjorn…i am still figuring on how i feel about him…he defended her…yet he is unwilling to commit…perhaps duty is more important for him than the heart….
Ah yes, I truly enjoyed this…the Black Knight…I write often about his…a very interesting read.
i wonder if he really was the only one who really meant her – and wanted to defend her without expecting something back..
The black knight gets the girl aye? The sense of possible danger is a turn-on now… usually ends up being a regret later tho
What a brilliant poem and so descriptive but easy to read x
They don’t make ‘um like they used to … 😀 >
A gallant dark knight, what courtesy to fight for the woman (Penelope?) and then let her be.
This is an excellently framed piece of work with great rhythm and captures well the days of old when knights were .. brave 😉
Thinking of it, who wants to marry a princess … 🙂 Nice work.
So romantic, that “single tear shed for gallantry”. You took me there, Bjorn. Loved the trip!
Be careful what you ask for… : )
What one would do to win the heart of a Princess, excellent piece!
He sure is a strong man but to leave the maiden all alone to music of departing hooves is a sad turn ~ Admiring the rhyming verses 🙂
I enjoyed the story of the black knight Bjorn ~ Enchanting tale of black knight ~
This is so wonderfully dense and filled with rich imagery… It seems the black knight always gets away, does he not? His heart always belongs to the one he cannot have.
I don’t know, perhaps the princess chose wisely – perhaps she counted on him riding away and now she is safe to be on her own!
Yes, that’s exactly how I think of those medieval tournaments – perhaps in rose-tinted spectacles… although I do wonder why he wanders off. Maybe the fight was more important to him than the prize?
Ha! it’s always the ‘good’ ones who get away.. and sometimes the hero truly has no time.. for maiden fair..as kNight or not!..:)
She chose the black knight, but didn’t get him. Love and war, the game can be sad. Enjoyed reading this Bjorn.
If I’d lived in those days, I’d have chosen a stay-at-home suitor rather than a roving fighter, who probably had an enlarged ego!
You tell an exciting story well.
The good one won, the evil fell still drops of tears shine…a grand tale…
love the emotion in this… the story telling wonderful… great form Knight Bjorn
This is awesome! Great rhythm and I like the rhyme scheme. I love the first two lines of the second stanza:
“See! as pale sun reflects on the black knight’s silent head
his unmarked shield deflects the blows that wish him dead,”
I like how you’ve made him anonymous. He comes, he defeats, and then he leaves. Peace, Linda
Hmm..the black knight saved her, but then left unable to give her what she desired most. Makes me wonder did he do it for her or for him. as he wanted no other to have her? Just pondering.
I can hear this spoken aloud: a wonderful opening salvo of an epic legend (flashback or flash forward . . . hm-m-m, can’t decide) – that dissolves into a medieval musical prelude – on the strings of a lute, I think, as we hold our breath and wait . . . for the rest of the story. But I digress. Smiles – and nicely penned!
As always, a pleasure to read,and I am looking forward to seeing new ideas you all have been cooking up here for dverse.
A tale of gallantry or is it -the brave knight wins the hand of the princess but leaves her in tears as he rides off to another conquest – enjoyed this telling of the knights tale, Bjorn
The age of gallantry. He saves the day and rides off into the setting sun, still unknown. Well done, Bjorn.
Ha. Well, I think all were probably a bit worse for wear! But you’ve painted a wonderful picture, Bjorn, with terrific cadence. Thanks. k.
A bold and courageous spectacle….and then he leaves her…wondering….aww, the mystery of men. Beautiful to read. 🙂
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‘only fools rely on skill’
that is a *killer* line, Sir Bjorn. damn. fine pen, too, on the presence, and absence, of chivalry ~