Birthday Poems: William and Nathanael 2010

Here's another poem written for William, along with his brother, Nathanael: I combined their poems this particular year (2010). Inspired by John Milton's Comus, this is one of my all-time favorites.

Band of Brothers

A Poem for Nathanael, on the Occasion of His Fourth Birthday (May 3, 2010); and William, on the Occasion of his Seventh Birthday (July 19, 2010)

Given, With Love, By Your Father

Nathanael:

Well, here we are, just me and you,

There’s only two of us.

We boys, I mean: there’s only two;

Two brothers: we are small and few;

Whatever can we hope to do?

William:

Now, don’t despair, don’t fuss!

It’s true that we’re not army-size:

We can’t besiege a town.

But like the knight who charges, dies,

With noble luster in his eyes,

That gold and silver never buys;

And takes the foeman down;

So you and I are richly blessed

With courage from our Lord;

I’ve seen you, brother, sorely pressed,

Yet rise with valor, meet the test;

And you and I shall meet this Quest,

Come fire, death, or sword.

Nathanael:

Thanks, brother; now I’m set to try

To take the heights above;

For just two brothers—you and I—

By God’s dear grace may crack the sky;

We may not win but we can die,

To save that which we love.

As Jonathan and his servant went

Against a mighty crew;

So now two brothers have been sent,

To force the wicked to relent;

‘Til all heart-treasures have been spent;

And hearts are piercéd through.

William:

Well said, my brother! Now look to

The sword of steel you wear; 

Whatever can we hope to do?

Nathanael:

Nay, here were are, we happy few:

A band of brothers, small, but true;

A noble cross to bear.

Narrator:

Then bursting through the door to Hell,

Where Sorcery held sway;

Two brothers with a mighty yell,

Sent serpents spinning, beasts pell-mell;

And drave the Devil, tales do tell,

And nobly won the day.

Thus set they free their sisters twain,

Who, captured in the wood,

Refused the wizard’s cup to drain;

To keep their hearts from every stain;

And were enchanted for their pain,

For clinging to the Good.

And now the four walked hand in hand,

Walked in the dying gloam;

And knew not all that yet was planned,

Of twinkling stars and grains of sand:

That more would join their little band,

To grace their little home.