For the Glory of God and of Gwendoline - Dorothy Hewett

O Gwen so long the mute the burning Sappho
Lancelot's lady & King Arthur's consort
invite me in for we can have such sport
dissecting skirmishes the battles fought
over the topless towers of this court
where Merlin rages & the moonlight falls
to fill the dangling armour on the walls:
Art is the great enchanter let us go.

The young the wild the foolish & the brave
rave round the frontiers or cross at night,
they'll have to let us in without a fight,
we are the ladies fashioned for delight;
O we will be well met by moonlight Gwen
at that round table with King Arthur's men:
this Camelot has fallen on evil days

it needs our presence to improve the tone,
we'll bring our manuscripts they can't refuse
a little criticism helps the Muse,
maybe it's not too late to bring the news
that you & I intend to light a fuse
in Camelot........... O Gwen
we've always had a nice way with the men
& this time we won't operate alone:

we'll keep our beds we wont rage up & down
we've learned a lot from living long outside
their wars & wonderments yet we can ride
with Lancelot & Merlin side by side,
you've changed a bit since you were Arthur's bide;
we two, outstripping all the dazzling men
will keep their swords for bodkins lovely Gwen
O Gwendoline we'll scandalize this twon:

and do not ask me Gwen where are the snows
of yesteryear... the way to Camelot
once known it can never be forgot,
the horses steam & all the knights are hot,
a good hard ride & we'll outstrip the lot,
our problem is the company of men
has always been a pleasure to us Gwen,
maybe the Grail is not for us, who knows

who'll se the Grail, who is it that will choose
to fuck & fast & masturbate & pray
with inky fingers till his hair turns grey,
because we're weaker vessels must we stay
within four walls as if its holy day
& live a life of discipline & order?
Merlin has told me it's across the border,
I say lets ride we've nothing left to lose.