Sir Gareth’s Plight - 1. Sir Gareth’s Plight

Sir Gareth’s Plight

There once was a man who sought power and fame
The man was a knight; Sir Gareth was his name
He came to see the wizard Cathbad at night
Because Sir Gareth felt that he was in a plight

You see, I want to ascend to the throne
Sir Gareth said urgently with a dark undertone
But I’m not entitled; I can’t raise a claim
However, this is my chief and ambitious aim

This is why I’m asking you to cast a spell
Sir Gareth said, pacing the warlock’s cell
The wizard Cathbad raised his eyes
I certainly can, if you pay the price

I’ll pay you in silver, gold or cash on the nail
Whatever you want, if your spell does not fail
Sir Gareth said; he stood with a frown
Whatever you want; make me the heir to the crown

That’s not how it works, Cathbad said, his voice dry
He was raising slyly the brow of an eye
Black magic requires a sacrifice
You yourself, Sir Gareth, must fix the price

Sir Gareth was about to fly into a rage
He was entirely fed up with the words of the sage
What is it the black powers want of me?
Sir Gareth hissed and waved his hand angrily

You must make a decision, you must make a choice
The wizard said in a grave and stern voice
First, I’ll show you what will lie ahead on your way
If you trust in faith and do not go astray

Cathbad raised his hand and said a word
In a language Sir Gareth had never heard
An image showed up and lingered in the air
It showed a young man with blue eyes and fair hair

Sir Gareth felt a craving and a sudden desire
He could not help but adore and admire
The young man’s smooth face and his sweet smile
Sir Gareth was smitten; he just stood for a while

Sir Gareth felt happy, cheerful, and bright
He entirely forgot about his initial plight
His heart flew out to the handsome young man
His one true love; a feeling so grand

Cathbad, the wizard, waved his hand again
He dissolved the image that showed the young man
Sir Gareth’s heart broke; he sensed pain and sorrow
He grieved and he felt as if there was no tomorrow

See now what you’ll face if I cast the spell
See now what nobody else can tell
And then you will have to make your choice
Cathbad said to Sir Gareth in a stern voice

The wizard uttered another word
And instantly an image occurred
It showed the daughter of the current king
A plumpish lass with a lopsided grin

Sir Gareth felt totally put off by her sight
The knight felt the urge to run and hide
However, Sir Gareth just stood and gazed
At the plumpish girl with the ugly face

The princess turned away and spoke to the king
She told her father that she was having a fling
With Sir Gareth who had made a dirty pass on her
She had lost her virginity; her reputation was blurred

The king was shocked and glared at the lass
Who due to her imprudence was in a fine mess
The vision blurred slightly; the image had changed
Princess Beth’s marriage was being arranged

Sir Gareth heard himself say the wedding vow
He saw himself turn to the bride and bow
The lass’ look was happy and her smile was nice
Sir Gareth’s heart, however, was cold as ice

A long time passed, the years went by
The king was healthy and would not die
Sir Gareth grew bitter; his mood was grim
Crown and throne seemed to be out of reach to him

Sir Gareth was rich; he had silver and gold
But he felt empty inside and his heart was cold
He felt disgust when he touched his wife
He felt neither love nor lust nor a sexual drive

Sir Gareth was sixty-one when the king finally died
He ascended to the throne and found he was in a plight
He found the charge was a burden and a personal strain
It caused him sleepless nights and a terrible pain

He wished he could live an average life
Without Lady Beth being his wife
He felt worn out; he was tired and old
And then he remembered the words once foretold

He remembered the wizard who had spoken the spell
The spell had been a curse; it had sent him to hell
However, he had made his choice and he paid the price
Sir Gareth had been willing to offer the sacrifice

The image of the young man came to his mind
His smooth face and his smile so tender and kind
It had made him happy, cheerful, and bright
He had felt so alive at the young man’s sight

Sir Gareth’s heart broke; he sensed pain and sorrow
He grieved and he felt as if there was no tomorrow
Cathbad, the wizard, waved his hand
And dissolved the image of the young man

Sir Gareth, you must now make your choice
The wizard said in a grave and stern voice
Tell me, are you willing to pay the price?
Are you willing to offer the sacrifice?

Be careful what you wish for, the wizard said
Sir Gareth just blinked and nodded his head
He was speechless with terror and with shame
At his wicked aspiration and infamous claim

I’ve changed my mind, Sir Gareth said
He lowered his eyes and bowed his head
Cathbad, the wizard just looked at the knight
He opened the door and wished Sir Gareth good night

Sir Gareth, still in shock, stumbled down a path
He stopped short when he heard a sudden laugh
A young man came his way and greeted him
Sir Gareth’s heart instantly started to sing

He greeted back; the young man cast him a smile
And then they just stood awkwardly for a while
I came here for the royal tournament game
The young man smiled sweetly. Gawain is my name

I’m happy to meet you, Gareth uttered in a low voice
He trusted his heart; he had made the right choice
Gawain smiled again and gave another soft laugh
And then they walked side by side on their path