Arriving home the King rejoiced
To see Dada again.
It wasn’t his gift that made him glad,
His absence had made him sore and sad,
He was one of the finest he’d ever had,
A man of honour and fame.

‘Welcome home, the finest of knights,
Prepare to tell your tale,
Pray tell us of the varied sights
You’ve seen as you’ve travailed!’

‘My Lord, I’ll gladly tell the truth
Of all I’ve seen and heard,
To all sat here beneath your roof,
Come, listen to my words.

By luck I made it to the Isle
Across our wooden path,
So many others lost meanwhile,
This march their very last.

‘Twas I and I alone that made
It to the rebels’ court,
Through swamp and water forced to wade,
And soldiers brave I fought.’

Dada begins to tell of his experiences with Hereward and the rebels.
(19.10.16)

© Ben Quant 2026