Chapter 1 - Twas Balmy Summer Afternoon Poem by Brian D Griffin

Twas balmy summer afternoon
Neath Oak and Ash and towering Pine
The Schuetzen gather all in force
Twas once again the Kinging Time

All Hunters brave and strong were they
And each a model man was he
Stout hearts all and strong were they
But only one would hold the key

With Pints of ale the swarthy brood
All postured for the dames
For there were twenty times the same
All gathered for the games

They marched in line and row on row
The drums and horns they sounded
The banners colors they unfurled
The shouts of joy resounded

At last they gathered at the place
And each stout arm was steadied
Their armament was raised and cocked
Each hunter at the ready

At first in waves and side by side
They chipped away their treasure
Shot on shot and piece by piece
Each man was there to measure

So many empty quivers now
The thronging crowd did thin
The hunters one by one withdrew
Now only few stood in

Till finally the few, the strong
The bravest of the brave
Now each in turn and on his own
One shot, one bird, one grave

The wings and head were now all gone
The mighty bird, she perished
At last the mighty fallen down
The prize they had all cherished

But who the mighty man was he
The one who last did fire
The beast of air he fell to earth
She felt his Kingly ire

Who I ask was last to go
and from her tower daring her
He who felled the pulpy beast
Was now our good king Geiringer.

King Jim the second, brave and strong
All subjects bend on knee
He earned his place in this great hall
Our king one year is he