Words: Marion's Pelican

Jonathan Blaecstan did the calligraphy and illumination for Marion's Pelican scroll. I based the words on Dante's Divina Commedia, purely because I know the recipient likes it well. I selected a passage from Inferno because it also suits the recipient, in a way... I followed the scenario from Dante of traveling and seeing dark things.

The source is iambic pentameter in three-line stanzas with a rhyme scheme of ABA, BCB, CDC, DED, etc., ending with a couplet. This is a Patent of Arms and, accordingly, includes blazon. I put the blazon after the ending couplet, since elsewise it would break the rhyme scheme.

SCROLL TEXT Marion del Okes Pelican Along Our journey through the realm and reign Andreas, King, and Gabriella, Queen, May travel every road in the domain. Some roads bring Us to quiet fields of green, Some elsewise show Us valleys hushed with dread: Some lords and ladies make both roads serene. In fields and valleys both, gentles have said One name that well We know in love and trust From younger days, so hear this order read. This St. Eadburga’s feast We have to Us Our Marion del Okes, in whom we see, As others do, the gentle and the just. Who now within the range of this decree Has not once lost and suffered on the road, But found one gentle soul to answer need? From all such gifting souls has service flowed, Since youthful May We marked, in Anno One; We count as more than just Our thanks bestowed. Our Marion has risen with the sun To oversee the western battlefields So others thrilled with Eastern victories won. As herald she secures the names and shields Of armory for Iron Bog, and knows As well the work of Kingdom courts and seals. A steward of events and of branch polls, A long-time guard, and Captain of her own, She has remained through every trial composed. As she has lightened work and, as light, shone Upon the darkened roads as best she may, In summer’s light she kneels before the thrones. This Eastern Camp of War, the 18th day, July, in Eisental Our Shire, with dear Companions of the Pelican arrayed, We sign to Marion these arms this year By lettres patent, and name her a Peer: Or, a badger statant sable marked argent within an orle of oak leaves conjoined vert fructed proper. Thus in Anno Societatis 44 do We Andreas IV and Gabriella II decree the inclusion of Marion del Okes into the Order of the Pelican.

SOURCE TEXT Divina Commedia Inferno: Canto I Dante Alighieri Italy, early 14th century Translation to English by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext97/0ddcl10.txt Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway had been lost. Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say What was this forest savage, rough, and stern, Which in the very thought renews the fear. So bitter is it, death is little more; But of the good to treat, which there I found, Speak will I of the other things I saw there. I cannot well repeat how there I entered, So full was I of slumber at the moment In which I had abandoned the true way. But after I had reached a mountain's foot, At that point where the valley terminated, Which had with consternation pierced my heart, Upward I looked, and I beheld its shoulders, Vested already with that planet's rays Which leadeth others right by every road. Then was the fear a little quieted That in my heart's lake had endured throughout The night, which I had passed so piteously. And even as he, who, with distressful breath, Forth issued from the sea upon the shore, Turns to the water perilous and gazes; So did my soul, that still was fleeing onward, Turn itself back to re-behold the pass Which never yet a living person left.