The Charge of Mestoph's Appetite

The Charge of Mestoph’s Appetite

with apologies to ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

I

Half a bite, half a bite,
Half a bite more,
All in the halls of Highbridge
Dined Mestoph the Knight
“Mestoph, of the Blue Rose is here!
Bring me some dessert!” he said.
In the halls of Highbridge
Dined Mestoph the Knight.

II

“Bring me some dessert!”
Was there a servant concerned?
Mestoph knew not.
Mestoph had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to serve, his to dine.

In the halls of Highbridge
Dined Mestoph the knight.

III

Meats to right of them,
Breads to left of them,
Cheese in front of them
Sauced and sauteed;
Seasoned with salt and oil,
Boldly he laughed and dined,
In the halls of Highbridge,

Into the mouth of hell
Dined Mestoph the Knight.

IV

Flashed all his cutlery bare,
Flashed as they fell to his plate
Slicing the meats there,
Clattering the flatware shined while
All the world wondered.

Lurking in the hearth-smoke
Right through the line it broke;
Dessert like no other
Released from the mind of Tria
The Dreaded Cherpumple.

Then diners held back, but not.
Not Mestoph the Knight.

V

Meats to right of them,
Breads to left of them,
Cheeses behind them
Chocolate and pumpkin;
Seasoned with cinnamon and cherry,
While magi and hero fell.
They that had dined so well
Those in the halls of Highbridge,

Altana summoned from the black abyss,
Only her spells could save him,
Save Mestoph the Knight.

VI

When can an appetite fade?
O the wild boast Mestoph made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the boast made!
Fear the Cherpumple.

Unlike Mestoph the Knight!