In which, as promised, we return to the youth of our king where we witness his fledgling attempts to find his muse.

***

So then in shining youth’s dull ignorance
(Before the aforementioned incidence)
We find our youth in strife to understand
How any could enjoy a world so bland.
A typical conceit of youth’s malaise;
In spite of natural wonders begging praise
The miracles alone are set to phrase,
For nothing true can manifest sublime
When “far beyond the realms of space and time”
The infinite untruth awaits their rhyme.
But through this darkness how to catch a thread
Whilst treading where no other feet have tread?
He knew it was not done with careful strides,
Or fearing Gods with their celestial chides;
Evinced by those who put their names to flame
And brand it on the world to seal their fame,
Oblivious to any inner doubt,
For conflagration must be sparked without.
But where to find this fire-starting fiend?
‘Twas not as if they ‘pon one place convened.
Our youth made many efforts to ensnare
That wilful spite as though it were a hare.
He tried with songs of love to pierce the clouds,
As oft he heard within the angel shrouds,
But nothing but the Popinjay came on
To prove our youth was yet to match Don Juan.
He breathed the Poet’s Poet’s poetry,
On those who may be worth such artistry;
Not man or beast but those of leaf and root
(For men cannot take Spenser and stay mute).
He hoped to please the flower and the tree
So they in turn may rouse the nymph for he.
But flowers held too easily aloft
Have little need for poet’s words so soft,
And stoic elms and willows tall and wide
Did hear and think of only genocide,
As oft the voice of man will herald doom
And speak of brethren cut before their bloom.
Thus nothing had the boy which could amuse
The creature he would woo to be his muse
And charge his creativity at will
‘Til pages upon pages would he fill
Of music, words – whatever he may choose,
So fountainess a gift he would abuse,
And shower ‘pon the world his blessèd art!
(his meteoric rise he was to chart,
Before he had begun to even start.)