Prince Of Mindanao Poem by Jerome Brooke

Prince of Mindanao, splendid in bronze,
Marching, so young, so pure.
Vassals bow before your horse, the warband,
Does salute you, bright in azure.

Gold and silver, robes of silk, gleaming bronze,
Vassals before you bow.
Girls beg for mere copper coins, peasants mutter,
Reap as you sow.

Bring the fire, young and immortal, dear one,
Prince of the lie.
Your arms will surely weaken, false friends,
You too will die.

Prince of Shades, see your lady, at your feet,
Captive of seeming.
Beauty she sees, a god among us, love gazes,
Love pure, fleeting.

Look below you, gaze at her, a peasant,
Girl in rags, low of the land.
Hate, envy, pity, all weave the web,
Pass on with your band.


From my Dark Sea of Sulu (Amazon Books)