5From 'hind her hangings Maenad came
Drew behind her path of flame
Stayed and sputtered like the trail
Left by a slug, or shelled snail.
Caitiff drew the pall about,
And Maenad saw him not — a doubt
Was banished quickly from her thought
As she saw the maid, and wot
What the mother meant to do.
Maenad sniggered, "Why do you
Mortals think that you can win?
This is your son, and I have him."
So spoke she proud, and took the shade,
Showing it now to the maid.
She snatched the glass and opened it
"This is his blood? This little bit?
T'would not suffice to give him life
And so would but augment your strife.
But, as for me, it's quite enough."
So Maenad up and drank the stuff.
Her eyes grew wide; she rolled her head,
"Not blood of life, but blood of dead!"
"T'was taken from the gallows-tree,"
Replied the caitiff, pall-less. He
Stepping forward, took the shade,
And then returned it to the maid.
And she, in turn, took t'other glass,
And poured it in the ghoulish gas,
And saved her son. He was alive.
"We must away from here," she cried.
"But not before you deal with me!
Though I've drunk blood of gallows-tree,
I'm stronger yet than woman-born!"
Cried Maenad, as so fast she'd torn
Across the hall, toward the maid,
"Surely you are not afraid?"
"What would she fear from one so weak?"
Caitiff's voice. They heard him speak
And both the women turned to him.
"Come. Battle me, and I will win."
"Quickly-spoken, quick you'll die,"
The maenad was quick to reply.
"The mortal, she can wait for me.
I'll soon kill you, and then kill she."
So saying, Caitiff, Maenad fought
Their battle passing mortal thought
The maiden simply watched in awe;
She watched until the one did fall.
Then she and Caitiff elsewhere hailed
He was redeemed by his travail
And she had saved him, and her son.
And there's a battle, lost and won.
PTG: There. An update. I've been pretty lax on updates, so don' worry, I'm not dead.
That's the end of the ballad, BTW. I did get recognition. I got f-ing certificate of f-ing acknowledgement. Oh, no. I"m not bitter. Just very, very annoyed that they try to keep up with the school-board-is-your-friend act. "Hi, we're from the school board and we're here to help you." Run, Forrest. Run.