... as it might be last week!
The theme of knights seeking adventure continues to appeal to people’s imagination – hence the popularity of Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Westerns. A perfect symbol of the search for adventure is the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, which is why it has been ever popular in countless versions over the last twelve hundred years.
The knight must be tempered to weather and the adversities and challenges that will confront him along the way. The whole story of ‘Star Wars’, for example, is the preparation of Luke Skywalker to become a Jedi Knight. The hero of the poem ‘Chant-Pagan’ was such a knight, tempered by the hardships of war through the vast open spaces of South Africa. With tenderness that evokes ‘A Song in the Desert’ and ‘The Way through the Woods’, this poem relates the making of a knight – ancient or modern. In the Middle Ages one became a knight through a prescribed ritual: the knight-to-be took a bath of purification, chanted his prayers, was girded with belt and spurs, drank the wine of communion, swore the oath, and then his sovereign laid the sword on his shoulder and proclaimed him knight. The poem goes through the same sequence – with a modern twist.
The New Knighthood
Who gives him the Bath? "I," said the wet, Rank Jungle-sweat, "I'll give him the Bath!" Who'll sing the psalms? "We," said the Palms. "As the hot wind becalms, "We'll sing the psalms." Who lays on the sword? "I," said the Sun, "Before he has done, "I'll lay on the sword." Who fastens his belt? "I," said Short-Rations, "I know all the fashions "Of tightening a belt!" Who gives him his spur? "I," said his Chief, Exacting and brief, "I'll give him the spur." Who'll shake his hand? "I," said the Fever, "And I'm no deceiver, "I'll shake his hand." Who brings him the wine? "I," said Quinine, "It's a habit of mine. "I'll come with his wine." Who'll put him to proof? "I," said All Earth. "Whatever he's worth, "I'll put to the proof." Who'll choose him for Knight? "I," said his Mother, "Before any other, "My very own Knight." And after this fashion, adventure to seek, Was Sir Galahad made - as it might be last week!