Ki-Fu’s Expedition Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

What urgent need for hurry
arms, equipment, load.
Proud horses, prancing, flurry,
wagons ready for road.
As fierce Huns loot the land
speed’s need none gainsay,
so forth, at royal command
we marched without delay.

Well matched, the coursers dusky,
well trained, the teams of four,
that June we raised an army
while wolf pawed at the door.
War’s trappings rapid ready,
each twelve miles stages lay,
to summons answered quickly
King’s call for aid obeyed.

At centre marched main army,
well marshalled, all could see,
then advanced the cavalry
which charged to victory, -
upon the foe descended,
rushing to the fray,
in blood the battle ended
restoring peace alway.

Those huns showed judgement faulty
in looting Tso and Ho,
with forays rash they made too free
to Fang, til Fu said “No! ”
Bright banners bird-emblazoned,
white pennants on display,
waved while chariots hastened
before, to clear the way.

Those war cars proved so sturdy,
kept steady, even keel,
their teams spurred on superbly
proving trainers’ zeal.
The Huns soon broke in panic –
till T’ai Yun, far away,
we ran them down, - titanic
Ki-Fu, our lord, that day!

Great Ki-Fu feasted gaily
in peacetime as in war,
a model for each land free –
then homeward turned once more.
Throughout trip long red wine ran strong,
good cheer, good food, good play,
then true Chang-Chung joined to our throng, -
with this we end. Good-day!