Thomas Rhymer’s Return to Elfinland, a ballad *** Options

[jerryk]

Note: Inspired by Sir Walter Scott, I've dwelt on this romance (part2) for years, put it aside and finally revised it. Yes, there is a part 1 to this ballad.


Thomas Rhymer’s Return to Elfinland

Renowned for his true prophesies,
The Rhymer reached his fame: (Rhymer, thanks for catching the typo)
True Thomas, Tom of Ercledoune,
Became a household name.

His hair turned gray and somewhat thin;
Time took its constant toll,
And bones, once strong, began to ache
As he strode up the knoll.

He turned the elf queen’s finger ring,
The one that sealed his tongue
While he had served in Elfinland,
When he was strong and young.

At ev’ry turn he thought he heard
The silver bells' faint call;
he took up his neglected harp
One morn in early fall.

Then, as he near’d the river bank,
He found the fairy there;
Her steed shook fifty and nine bells,
Their chimes removed his care.

True Thomas knelt as best he could;
She stroked his hair: “It’s time,
Dear Tom, that we should ride on home
To silv’ry bells’ bright chime.”

They rode on to the hawthorn tree,
The cave near Eildon Hill,
Through which the blood-filled river ran,
For men were warring still.

Through desert land, then fruit tree groves,
They flew at dazzling speed,
And as they reached the queen’s domain,
Old Tom turned young, indeed.

Again he tuned his faithful harp
And played a melody,
And when he rhymed of lasting love,
A bird sang in its tree.

In our own world he was not seen;
His queen fluffed up their bed—
Its curtain drew the Rhymer shut….
The rest is best unsaid.

[Rhymer]

Note: Inspired by Sir Walter Scott, I've dwelt on this romance (part2) for years, put it aside and finally revised it. Yes, there is a part 1 to this ballad.


Thomas Rhymer’s Return to Elfinland

Renowned for his true prophesies,
The Ryhmer reached his fame:
True Thomas, Tom of Ercledoune,
Became a household name.

His hair turned gray and somewhat thin;
Time took its constant toll,
And bones, once strong, began to ache
As he strode up the knoll.

He turned the elf queen’s finger ring,
The one that sealed his tongue
While he had served in Elfinland,
When he was strong and young.

At ev’ry turn he thought he heard
The silver bells' faint call;
he took up his neglected harp
One morn in early fall.

Then, as he near’d the river bank,
He found the fairy there;
Her steed shook fifty and nine bells,
Their chimes removed his care.

True Thomas knelt as best he could;
She stroked his hair: “It’s time,
Dear Tom, that we should ride on home
To silv’ry bells’ bright chime.”

They rode on to the hawthorn tree,
The cave near Eildon Hill,
Through which the blood-filled river ran,
For men were warring still.

Through desert land, then fruit tree groves,
They flew at dazzling speed,
And as they reached the queen’s domain,
Old Tom turned young, indeed.

Again he tuned his faithful harp
And played a melody,
And when he rhymed of lasting love,
A bird sang in its tree.

In our own world he was not seen;
His queen fluffed up their bed—
Its curtain drew the Rhymer shut….
The rest is best unsaid.

Love it! It makes me look upon the tales of yore in a completely different light.
It makes for a good read: excites my senses to presume - rightly or wrongly - the outcome, and is very entertaining. My idea of a good poetic piece.

Well done Jerryk (Check spelling of Rhymer first verse! Nit-picking LOl!) Denis aka Rhymer.

[jerryk]

Yes, indeed, Rhymer;
I type so fast, I invert a lot of things and then I don' catch those things. So glad you share my love for the traditional ballads, in fact, tales of yore. I think you probably would have liked part 1 of this ballad. Maybe some other time-- Thanks for reading and commenting. Appreciated.
Jerry

Note: Inspired by Sir Walter Scott, I've dwelt on this romance (part2) for years, put it aside and finally revised it. Yes, there is a part 1 to this ballad.


Thomas Rhymer’s Return to Elfinland

Renowned for his true prophesies,
The Rhymer reached his fame:
True Thomas, Tom of Ercledoune,
Became a household name.

His hair turned gray and somewhat thin;
Time took its constant toll,
And bones, once strong, began to ache
As he strode up the knoll.

He turned the elf queen’s finger ring,
The one that sealed his tongue
While he had served in Elfinland,
When he was strong and young.

At ev’ry turn he thought he heard
The silver bells' faint call;
he took up his neglected harp
One morn in early fall.

Then, as he near’d the river bank,
He found the fairy there;
Her steed shook fifty and nine bells,
Their chimes removed his care.

True Thomas knelt as best he could;
She stroked his hair: “It’s time,
Dear Tom, that we should ride on home
To silv’ry bells’ bright chime.”

They rode on to the hawthorn tree,
The cave near Eildon Hill,
Through which the blood-filled river ran,
For men were warring still.

Through desert land, then fruit tree groves,
They flew at dazzling speed,
And as they reached the queen’s domain,
Old Tom turned young, indeed.

Again he tuned his faithful harp
And played a melody,
And when he rhymed of lasting love,
A bird sang in its tree.

In our own world he was not seen;
His queen fluffed up their bed—
Its curtain drew the Rhymer shut….
The rest is best unsaid.

Love it! It makes me look upon the tales of yore in a completely different light.
It makes for a good read: excites my senses to presume - rightly or wrongly - the outcome, and is very entertaining. My idea of a good poetic piece.

Well done Jerryk (Check spelling of Rhymer first verse! Nit-picking LOl!) Denis aka Rhymer.

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Jerry, Nicely done, almost brought tears to my eyes. I have tried the ballad form but it didn't turn out quite like I wanted. As far as out typing your computer and getting things turned around... I do that too, but a spell checker does wonders.

Steve

[jerryk]

Hi there, Steve;
such a fine comment as you have expressed here is the balm a writer's soul needs. You are very kind, and I thank you for your support. I think the key to writing a ballad is finding an inspiring subject. I hope you will try writing another ballad. Thank you very much, Steve.

Jerry

Jerry, Nicely done, almost brought tears to my eyes. I have tried the ballad form but it didn't turn out quite like I wanted. As far as out typing your computer and getting things turned around... I do that too, but a spell checker does wonders.

Steve

[JustDaniel]

I'd never read of Thomas ere
I stumbled onto this
so I am but a sightseer
whose questions hit or miss.
But you have writ the ballad well
so far as my ear's heard;
you evidently here retell
him in your winking words.

deLightingly, Daniel

[jerryk]

Hello, dear Gentleman Daniel;
I read your comment with great pleasure. Thank you for the little poem; it's really delightful. Wonderful that you have taken time out to do this for me. Thanks again, and I'll be back. Jerry

I'd never read of Thomas ere
I stumbled onto this
so I am but a sightseer
whose questions hit or miss.
But you have writ the ballad well
so far as my ear's heard;
you evidently here retell
him in your winking words.

deLightingly, Daniel

[anaisa]

Dear Jerry,

This is such a lovely poem. I enjoyed it very much.

K

[jerryk]

Hi, dear Karen;
this final version is the end result of quite a few revisions, but now I think I should be satisfied with it. Thank you so much for your comment. So nice to have met you. Love your avatar, Karen. Take care,
Jerry