Commiseration

FLUNG adrift by very mother at birth;
Accurs'd of anger'd tutor in thy youth;
Forlorn of friend and kith and kin; in sooth,
A nameless, aimless waif on earth.
Relentless Fate swoop'd thee to serve Her aim.
And veer'd thy steps into a nest of plots
And feuds: A Royal house of power-drunk sots,
Perdue to Pity, Chivalry, e'en shame!

Beguil'd with bribe of crown to battle in cause
Of king, who match'd thee 'gainst thy very kin,
Thy valour, bounty, innocence of sin
Avail'd thee naught 'gainst unjust death. Alas!
Befooled babe 'gainst Fate's bewild'ring odds!
Bejewell'd bauble of the jeering Gods!