On Generosity

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, August 2014 (AS 49)

Words of wisdom,

Sung in song,

Of faith and justice,

Of right and wrong,

Of virtues and

The virtuous,

Of folk giving

And courageous.

Like golden apples

Give their flesh,

Like the bulls,

Like fish in mesh;

So chief among

The virtues true,

Is giving like

The knightly do.

Sir Cleges and

Sir Amadace

Were renowned

For art and grace;

For helping those

Who needed aid,

With ne’er a thought

To be repaid.

Like Beowulf,

In Viking hall,

Rewarding carl

And freeing thrall;

Like Roland blowing

On mighty horn,

And giving succor

As he had sworn;

Like Saladin

Who a babe bought,

Returning it to

Mother o’erwrought;

So great and good

Are those that give,

And by their deeds

Will be outlived.

Praise be to them

And all their kind,

Who to others woes

Are not turned blind.

Friend, with thanks,

I bless your name,

And hold it forth

For fond acclaim.