Large Fierce Mammal

Portrait of Donald McBane from his The Expert Swordsman’s Companion (1728). (Source here)

Tonight’s Dark Sentiment grew out of two inspirations.

This oft quoted witticism:

“Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” ~ Celtic Proverb

And the other, the life of Scottish soldier, prize fighter, Swordmaster, brothel keeper, notorious duellist, and all around self-made sonofabitch, Donald McBane (1664 – 12 April 1732), author of The Expert Swordsman’s Companion (1728).

The fruit of those aforesaid inspirations took the form of this poem …

The Sword Dance o’ Simon MacHugh

By LFM

Of all th’ auld Swordsmen auld worlds ever knew,
None was as fearsome as Simon MacHugh.
No blade ever pierced him
Nor worried him much,
For a blade canna pierce what a blade canna touch!

He would leap and then strike and then strike thrice again,
But a woolball o’ death to the enemy’s ken,
He’d dance his sword dance
To the pipes in his heid,
“Til MacHugh stood alone in a circle o’ deid.

Comin’ down to t’day’s this from Simon MacHugh,
If ye’d take up the blade an’ stand fast wi’ th’ few,
Th’ finest o’ steel
Stands nary a chance,
In th’ hand of a Man if th’ Man canna dance!

Now see to your footwork Goode Pilgrim. More on this subject tomorrow!