The Kings gallows

When know you do the man who wrongly condemns you to death, and with your last words call down calamity upon them.

As he approach the gallows steps,
Mortality he now accepts,
The priest hath given his last rites,
And come his death the king delights,
Within his heart he knows the truth,
Yet still remains his manner couth,
Two evil deeds hath transpired,
As one man now has been mired,
A man killed his body did burn,
And now this man takes blame in turn,
He knows the king behind this act,
His wicked will doth he exact,
Except to damn he has no power,
And curse he does the king this hour,

"O STATELY ONE WHO SITS ABOVE,
But not the king I speak thereof,
Call down a higher power I,
And plead torment you by and by,
My hopes that God becomes your bane,
And with his scourge drives you insane,
For call down a higher power I,
And plead torment you by and by"

And with these words the king stood up,
Then with words his own raised his cup,

"O lowly one who waits below,
Tis only this I wish you know,
For of your death I care the least,
I think on fowl tonight I'll feast"

And with callous swung his hand,
And bid to action the hangman,
With mighty effort did he yank,
A damned man's body then was sank.

Gideon X. A. Elson

Reviews

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love the old world charm this is worded with.
Excellent ending never underestimate the blood of the innocent. It will cry out from the grave.

[Gideon X. A. Elson]

Thank you for another kind review. I'm gonna have to visit you again soon!

[Kim S.]

My hopes that God becomes your bane,
And with his scourge drives you insane,

I am not sure what bane means, but i enjoyed this

[Gideon X. A. Elson]

Bane used here I mean "a cause of great stress or annoyance"

[Kim S.]

oh okay, cool i love learning new words...

[Chris]

So many believe "Karma" has a way of returning to those with "ill will" that many often hesitate to curse those that willfully harm them or others. It may be true, but ...so many mean-spirited people get immense satisfaction in their deeds and so few of them pay any price along their "ways".... just because they "CAN".

[Gideon X. A. Elson]

Yes in writing this I envisioned a man, who at first keeps his composure. Then upon his final chance lashes out beautifully. All for nought as we see the king unfazed. A metaphor for how we can go about life delaying action until we reach a point of diminishing returns.

[Soren]

I loved this poem. I was well written and read easily conveying an emotion and thought that I believe most people have had. A feeling of powerlessness in a situation beyond your control. Great work

[Gideon X. A. Elson]

Thank you, only my second time conveying actual dialouge so that is appreciated

[M. J. Smith]

The wealthy and powerful never spare a thought to those they wrongfully destroy.
It is likewise said that only the good die Young.
Reads like a passage from some novel or Shakespearian tale. You write so well.
I could read your work for hours.

[Gideon X. A. Elson]

Now if only I had hours worth of work to read haha. But at this rate it won't be long all of my postings save "a call to the void" and "always concomitant" aren't but weeks in age. I have really taken to writing everyday and am relying on you now to know when the contents begin to wane in quality. Thank you again for your ever kind words

[M. J. Smith]

You'll know when quality tapers. You won't be satisfied u til you get it right. Poets are also Craftsmen. And frequently we judge ourselves harder then our fans do. We never want to give more then our best. Or so I am at any rate. You are most welcome, my friend.