Having heard this soldier’s words
The rebels sang his praise,
They marked his bold audacity,
His valour and tenacity,
Inviting him to stay and see
And learn more of their ways.

They showed him their defences and
Their fortifications strong,
And companies of famous men,
Whose feats of arms protected them,
Regaling him with songs which lended
Glory to where they belonged.

And after this they sent him home
But first he swore an oath,
To only speak of what he saw,
The truth of what he heard no more,
Only what he perceived on their shores,
This was his solemn troth.

Impressing his captors, Dada is given a tour of the fenland defences.
(14.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash

‘Pray, Dada, tell us why you came,
With sword across the Fen?
What have we done to earn your blame,
Why come with armoured men?’

‘It is not you,’ the knight replied,
‘I see you not with ire,
The King promised the first to find
Their way across the mire,

And boldly land a blow upon
The rebels without care,
Could name a prize, some gift among
The treasures lying there.

And so I sought to prove myself
And demonstrate my courage,
By striving to achieve this wealth,
And never be discouraged.’

Dada explains his motivation for striving to Ely.
(11.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Image by Poliphilo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

One knight there was who made the Isle
Leading the Norman charge,
An eminent soldier of some fame,
Taking him prisoner they asked his name,
He responded boldly showing no shame,
My captors, I am Dada.

Before Chesney there was Dada…
(10.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Mario Gogh on Unsplash