Chapter 5 - A Majestic Royal Ball Decree (In Tribute To Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Poem by Brian D Griffin

In Kolping Hall did James the Second
A majestic royal ball decree
There by the mill, where verdant grove so grand
Where oak and ash in scores did stand
By verdant trees so numerous to man
Run down the hills and fields,
Down to the meadow and the lee.

So to his Hall midst fertile ground
He called his court to gather round:
We'll build a garden bright upon this hill,
And bring forth Music blithe with Spirit song
And here we nobles dance a night of thrill,
With commoner we'll join, for all belong

At once! Both King and Queen of all demanded
Go forth to all my holdings, all we cover
And invite to this stately hall their granted
And here beneath the next full moon that's patterned
Let every son of man; all fruit of mother
Unto this Hall be gathered to our pleasing
And dance until the earth itself is deeply breathing

So nobles kissed their dames and mounted horses
And reared half up and then to flight each burst
They rode from town to village, all to hail,
Imparting there to all the royal mail:
That all man and dame was by his King entreated
To come before him where he's nobly seated
And there all night in different dancing motion
A majestic ball would be the regal plan,
that all would dance; each woman and each man,
All dressed in fine array; a silken ocean

So to the court they came from Far and near
To join the ancestral dance so long held dear!
Or' seen by dear departed showing pleasure
come forth this night from out their grave;
To use this night their King to measure
Was he noble blood or knave?
So long this shooting King device,
Had been their way of choosing kingly treasure.

So nobles and common together, dancing all
Once more in vision that I saw:
This ritual is our annual play,
The King's High Ball here on display
Atop the hill where once had stood the mill
Our yearly Pageantry
Our symphony and song,
To such a deep delight would win me,

Enticed with music loud and long,
All gathered danced on clouds in air,
And danced with all there at least twice!
Till all who gathered gave a cheer,
each commoner and noble here!
For Good King James and Sally fair!
So gather round and bless them thrice,
their royal person and holy head,
from we who at their table fed,
in this reign that's been like Paradise