Preparation

BY THE FORGE

First must cometh the breath of a dragon
to soften the steel resolve
To feed through the eye of an adder scull
And round a troll’s finger revolve.

Ten thousand such are rings by Thor struck off
to make a mantle for me,
For to shield my collar and yearning heart
and leave my fierce battle arm free.

With buckler in hand and axe in full swing
I fear not staff or iron blade.
I am safe beneath cape of banded rings
forged in hell and forest glade.

And by this spell I am tempered complete
with purpose and honor pure white;
character beat into shape by challenge
with inner foes of ego's might.

Forge me a blade to pare to the truth,
with sharpest wit and reason keen.
Grant me a boon to find noble heart
for hand of steel and quest foreseen.

May the eyes of Anteaos watch over me
And now shield my soul from pain.
The anvil of Light rings a chime for me,
to join the song of life again.

faucon

* Anteaos - early Egyptian (other) deity that spit into two parts, 'horus' who remained on earth as a falcon presence, and (????) that became the heaven protector, with one eye the sun -- the other the moon.