A long time ago when the world was young,
A woman was created, beauty bright as the sun.
There was no match for her in all the world,
Not even the stars could compare as they swirled.
Word of her radiance and smile spread around,
It came to the ears of a young Prince under crown.
He thought to himself, I must seek her for a bride,
No one else will do, I must have her by my side.
The Prince set on his way, in a carriage of golden display,
Driven by six white horses that would never turn astray.
He rode the carriage with haste, for he wanted no delay,
He wanted to be the first to meet with her on this day.
The news spread even further, now across the seas,
Whispered in the ears of a young Beggar on his knees.
If there was one thing that would make him feel whole,
He felt it would be her beauty that would patch up his soul.
He set sail at once, spending every penny he owned,
Even those from friends to him they had loaned.
But to her he must go, for in his heart it felt right,
The feelings inside he felt would aid in his flight.
They both travelled far; one to seek the lady's hand,
One from the safety of his home; far from his land.
A Prince on one side, a Beggar on the other,
One with all to lose and the other with nada.
They both met at her door, and eyed each other's clothes,
One dressed as best in dirt, the other in fancy robes.
The Beggar inquired as to the Prince and the Prince replied,
'I am here to seek the maiden inside to be my bride.'
The Beggar looked surprised, 'I am here to see her too,'
He told the Prince, 'Though not for the same reason as you.'
'Hah! She'll never see you,' the Prince said with a sneer,
As he took in the beggar without standing too near.
'A creature such as you she wouldn't let on her floor,'
He said his final words as he strode through the door.
But before it could close, the Beggar hurried through,
Now slightly in doubt that what the Prince spoke was true.
But the lady saw them both, each alone as they should be;
She asked the Prince what his purpose was in her country.
The Prince explained to her why he was there,
As he gazed around the room and sat down in a chair.
He offered her diamonds, and rubies so bright,
If she would only come with him, please be his light.
He promised her a palace, everything she would need;
She said she would think about it before she agreed.
She saw the Beggar next, ushered him into her room,
She didn't seem to care about the dust on his costume.
Now, the Beggar had only meant to once see her face,
But one look was enough to make him forget his place.
He couldn't go away without telling her how he felt,
How his heart, with ease, she had managed to melt.
She asked about his offer, though the Prince's not forgot,
Even though she hadn't really thought about it a whole lot.
The Beggar was different; he had nothing to offer,
At least nothing that came from his empty coffer.
But he could offer her love, a feeling she'd never known,
He could show her how to take it, make it her own.
The Prince's offer was tempting, she couldn't deny,
But the beggar promised her freedom under the sky.
Yet she held her own secret, she was dying inside,
She wouldn't live long to be anyone's bride.
Who could tell what was going on in her mind,
As each man came before her one at a time?
Both men were so sweet, she just couldn't decide,
Which of the two she would chose to be by their side.
As the men grew impatient, and push turned to shove,
She suggested a fight, the winner wins her love.
They each took up their swords for the battle to death,
Preparing for who would breathe their last breath.
The Beggar fought for her love and his opponent even so,
They fought through the winter and the falling snow.
And as the season changed, one of them had to fall,
So now here is the Beggar, the victor, standing so tall.
But alas it was too late; she had died the day before,
The Beggar cried in despair, collapsed on to the floor.
For all that they had done, neither of them would win,
He'd never see his love as the tears rolled down his chin.
Falling to his knees the beggar weeps in his grief,
Heart overturning for the princess that was a thief.
She stole both men's hearts and departed away,
She crept in to the dark he could not keep at bay.
The moon rises high; the stars shine out bright,
The clouds move aside, showering patterns of light.
The beggar gazes up to the stars as they swim,
And there he sees his love; she is smiling down on him.
Peter Van Werkhoven (c) 2013
