The Lady Of The Lake Poem by Matthew Buchwald

The Knight of Courteous Valor a solemn oath did take
To seek the wide world over for the Lady of the Lake.
On a noble steed, companion true, he rode out on his journey;
Of challengers he met a few, but would not stop to tourney.
He bore no weapon on his Quest nor carried he a shield,
Yet his mettle always stood the test, no knight could make him yield.
Of land at last there was no more, so by the ocean he did rest,
When a boat that lay there on the shore reminded him of his Quest.
To his horse he bade a sad farewell, then he sailed out on the sea,
Abreast the crest of a foaming swell until his boat calmed in the lee
Of that sacred isle known to thee as the island Avalon,
And there in a grove of apple trees, he wandered on and on.
Beneath a towering mountain cliff, he stopped at an icy lake,
And stripped his suit of armor off thinking a bath to take,
When from the water appeared a sword, clasped in a delicate hand.
The Knight could utter not one word as before him a Lady did stand.
‘This sword I give to thee, fair Knight, ' were the fateful words she spake,
And then she vanished from his sight beneath the shimmering Lake.
By the enchanted sword Excalibur, this vow the Knight did make:
‘I pledge my life and love to her, the Lady of the Lake! '