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               Bodiam Butts

I loosed six arrows, for three pounds,

At Bodiam this summer's afternoon.

Two reasonable shots just hit the mark

The others would not have impressed the King

Six hundred years ago, when William fought

At Agincourt for Henry, and survived

The dysentery, French horses and mud.

This is a game for tourists, but in France

A kingdom hung upon that arrow's flight

More than heroic speeches or the calm

Of chroniclers at fifty years remove.

So I am pleased my arrows made their mark

And something of those ancient Yorkshire genes

Are, maybe, more than just romantic dreams.

Deo Gracias; William Hick - 1415 survivor of Agincourt

Brian Hick July 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 23.7.25