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Samovar

A poem by Altivo Overo

(with no apologies to Sir Walter Scott)

O bold Samovar galloped into the West,

Through all the wide country, that steed was the best

At brawling, at boozing, at schmoozing the mares,

Even while he avoided commitments and snares.

A bodhrán he carried, 'twas strapped by his side,

All painted and polished and covered in hide.

A flute and a tipper were tucked down inside.

To fill out the style of this musical ride,

He wore a cocked hat, and 'twas green as the grass;

Mane and tail black as coal and they sparkled like glass.

Sam rounded the lake and pulled up at the gate

Of old Netherby's Pasture and Bar but too late.

For the filly he fancied had agreed to a mate

And the nuptials expected now to celebrate.

He looked round the gathered herd, cracking a smile,

Saying "I'd better join you, at least for a while.

For though I've lost out in the courting I'll stay

And join in the merriment just for a day."

Fair Eleanor stood amid flowers and hay.

As she smiled at Sam's joke, she was seeking a way

To avoid any fight for her favor that might

Cause injury to her intended and fright

On her friends who had gathered that day for to see

Her engagement and marriage to bold young McGee.

Now Mac stood beside her while sharing her glee

At the wedding and party they hoped soon to see.

"Well met, Samovar," he proclaimed with a bow.

"No hard feelings, I hope, come between us just now."

Mac flourished his hat, but no weapons he had.

And Samovar's temper was known to be bad.

But Sam nodded slyly. "I declare I'm not mad,"

He announced, "You have won, I admit, and I'm sad.

Just give me a cup and I'll offer a toast

To your happiness now." Or that was his boast.

So McGee filled a cup with the sweetest red wine

And gave it to Sam with his eyes all ashine.

Sam gave a light nicker and tossed back the wine;

Then he threw it to the ground, said "I'll not cross that line.

But let's have a dance for to honor the bride

And her brave life companion who now stands by her side."

He pulled out his whistle and started a tune

That they all might join in by the light of the moon.

Then Eleanor's brother, a lively young colt,

Said "I'll just get my fiddle," and took off in a bolt.

Sam looked after him, smiling, and nodded his head.

He was thinking whom he might bring home to his bed.

Young Cedric returned with his fiddle and bow

To stand by braw Sam with his face all aglow.

They joined in and merrily the tune it did go.

The herd soon were dancing and cheering you know.

The bride and the groom swung around the grand floor

Forgetting the cares and the worry they bore.

More musicians joined in and a shindig began

While Cedric and Sam, to the front gate they ran.

They hoofed down the road at full tilt, hand in hand,

When came cries of shock from behind with the band.

Both laughed o'er their shoulders and turned for a while

Then kissed as a couple and shared a big smile.

Sam shouted to Eleanor, "You've found out today,

The truth of it all is the fact that we're gay!"

O bold Samovar galloped out of the West.

In all the wide country his mate was the best:

Young Cedric was handsome and bright as the sun.

So happy they were joined together as one.