Isabella's Revenge

With steel armour glinting, the jousting began,
The knights took their colours as part of the plan.
Lances at ready, their chargers took flight,
Brandishing weapons, each fought a great fight.

Armour was pierced, her lover lay grounded,
The unhappy bride was so sadly astounded.
Secretly married but two days before.
Now her husband lay dead in a family feud war

As he fought with the the victor, his eyes had accused,
No sister of mine shall be used and abused.
But his fight was in vain and their riches were lost,
He had given his life for their lands at such cost..

Armour was bloodied, the victor stood proud,
As he lifted his visor she jeered from the crowd.
Isabella was weeping, her sadness was raw,
Just a face in the crowd, 'til she made it much more.

She ran from the crowd as the princely knight passed,
"Take me to your castle,"that brazen wench sassed.
As young Isabella stepped into his view,
That knight lost his heart to a love so untrue.

He lifted her onto his snowy white steed,
A voice in the stands said, "You've made my heart bleed."
She ranted and raged, as a wronged woman scorned,
Without land or riches, her rings must be pawned.

She held forth her child, he said, nay, tis not mine,
Go back to your husband, you've had too much wine,
Isabella was thinking, "that child had his nose,
and she's surely his lady for look at those clothes?"

She stood like a queen in her ermine and silk,
With skin akin peaches and cream of the milk.
She tossed golden ringlets, accused him of lies,
as tears began streaming from blazing red eyes.

You have killed my dear brother, squandered our land,
Disregarded our marriage as I watched from the stand,
Oh yes, you may leave me, I yearn to be free,
No true knight would leave, lest he support me.

Isabella was shocked as she looked on the child,
The lady was quiet and not now so wild,
I wish you good luck, you will need it, my dear,
For this knight is not gallant, nor is he sincere.

He is dressed like a prince on his snowy white steed,
And by right he's a knight, of that we're agreed.
But he isn't the hero you might take him for,
He's a thief and a gambler, right through to the core.

The ladies have followed in daily succession,
He has used and abused in a steady progression.
The wealth of my father is frittered and gone,
I'm left destitute and he's disowned his son.

The knight he just laughed and he said she's insane,
I was fighting for king and for country, it's plain.
She looked at the knight , thinking what to achieve
For she knew without intinct just who to believe.

If you leave this lady, then you must divorce,
I have nothing to give you, no dowry of course,
The child he is yours with his nose like a conker,
Much smaller than yours, but tis truly a honker.

The lady she frowned but she knew it was true,
Her son had his looks, though his eyes were her blue,
The child began screaming, at remark so uncouth,
Though Isabella was pretty, she was plain with the truth.

The knight, he had eyes for this comely young wench,
Though she had no money, a thirst he must quench.
He asked her to marry and she said, of course,
But first you must truly be free by divorce.

I do not want hindrance, dear knight you must see,
Of wife and of child, you must truly be free.
So settle your debt with your wife and your son,
And we shall be married when this you have done.

The knight, he was loathe to part from his wealth,
Which against better judgement was bad for his health.
He signed back the deeds for what little was left,
And quite soon he did feel like the victim of theft.

The knight said, my love,soon we must marry,
Hurry my dear, to the chapel, don't tarry.
Isabella replied with tears in her eyes,
I am not your love, I am love in disguise.

'Twas my husband you killed in a joust tournament,
Now relieved of your land, I am your punishment.
For ne'er will you lay at my side, it is true.
When the life of my lover was taken by you.

Your wife now divorced, is my sister by law,
My husband, her brother, we both did adore,
I go now to her side, we will share out your wealth.
As divorcee and widow, we wish you bad health.