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The King is Dead

by Paul Roland

on Duel (2010)

The court, the keep and corridors are ankle deep in dust
And cobwebs hang like tapestries in the armouries of rust

Beat the black draped, muffled drum
Cast orchids on his bed
Sound the carved white funeral horn
For lo, the King is dead

The banners in the banquet hall have faded like dull rags
And feasting on the crumbs beneath a brood of wretched hags

The servants drank the cellars dry and stole the silverware
The jailor and the jester danced, a most ungainly pair

In the room of cracked spines and parchment
Sat the scribe, quill poised and back bent
Blowing dust from the Black Book of Hours

The widowed Queen she does not mourn, but wears a funeral gown
Hides a smile beneath her veil, teases baubles from the crown

Beat the black draped, muffled drum
Cast orchids on his bed
Sound the carved white funeral horn
For lo, the King is dead