The Cross King

A poem on Alfred the Great

The Cross King
for Ben Merkle (to be read pressante vigoroso)

I am the King of Twos! I broke both White Horses,
I split up my forces,
My longships have twice as much crew.

I am the Twain Thegn! I have built standing holds
	And a flying squadron bold,
One Book of Dooms, one of hide-counts ordained.

I am two poles for a Rood! Read the songs of our folk,
	Sing the scrolls of Christ’s yoke,
With lawspeakers draw the blood feud.

I am the King of Twos! I’m the first and the last
	In slaughterwall’s blast
Where spears pierce and fránciscas hew.

I am the Twain Thegn! In me scóp and shield are stout,
	In me the poet and priest call out,
Grace’s sooth-gyd as our doom shall remain.

I am two poles for a world!
Two poles for banners unfurled,
Two poles for battlement and fosse,
Two poles to cross.