Seven Warrior Maidens

Seven Warrior Maidens
© Surazeus
2024 06 01

When I hear sounds of laughter in the woods 
while walking in mist of Broceliande, 
I disguise myself with cloak of bear skin 
and, like Pentheus, hide in the oak tree 
to watch the Bacchae drink wine as they dance, 
but all I see are seven warrior maidens. 

Around large round table by stone hearth 
I see Artemis, Minerva, Athena, 
Chariclea, Camilla, Bradamante, 
and Clorinda, all dressed in long white gowns, 
wearing gold crowns, each with one different gem, 
and bearing brass scepters with diamond tips. 

Catching sight of me hidden in the oak, 
Athena leaps through the air in high arch, 
grips scruff of my bear-fur cloak, hauls me down, 
and forces me to kneel before their eyes, 
so I declare that I am no berserker, 
for I am Orpheus, then show my lyre. 

Laughing that she would rather meet this bear, 
than some man who would rape her, in the woods, 
Clorinda pulls bear-face hood off my head, 
which exposes me as the foolish bard 
who dares spy on their council in disguise, 
and pinches my cheek with sarcastic grin. 

Strumming strings of my oak lyre, I recite 
riddle to warn them that danger will come, 
when seven pards gather in apple grove 
thirty fierce wolves sent by the lion king 
will capture them to be his concubines, 
for he intends to make them bear his sons. 

With cautious attention their eyes flash bright 
as they solve meaning of my clever riddle, 
then leap into trees on fluttering capes 
as thirty warriors wearing wolf-skin robes 
invade their grove with nets to capture them, 
escaping snares on wings of liberty. 

Conducting battle with scepters of justice, 
seven warrior maidens in graceful dance 
defeat men who try to enslave their souls 
as they twirl scepters with diamond tips 
that crack their skulls, till they all run away, 
leaving those brave women free to rejoice. 

Accepting grail of wine from Chariclea, 
I explain I heard the wolf captain boast 
of his intent to capture them as slaves, 
so, since they give women power to choose, 
I came to help them keep their liberty, 
then lead them to temple of enslaved girls.