vermillion

 the birds of northernesse had gathered to sing a lay

in a dark tree near a torrent where the nether world issues

a word they want a word they need a word for an array

there splashed on vision none their marvellous mystic hues

vermillion said the eagle

the maker of all laws

and since twas he that said it

so by life it was

vermillion said the falcon

keep of the flame

and he looked around for challenge

in hauteur and disdain

vermillion said the hawk

and none could give the nay

for his claws were long and sharp

and he would have his way

vermillion chanted the other ranks

the magpie and the hen

the jackdaw and the cormorant

the peewit and the wren

vermillion sang they all

in a wondrous symphony

and their voices rang throughout the land

from the mountains to the sea

red blood quaked the sparrow

his plumage modest brown

and the birds could not see him

for his station lay far down

red blood piped he again

grown stronger at the truth

and the birds faced reality

and reality was mute

red blood cried he at last

and they saw him crouching low

and they flew at him and raged at him

and struck a mighty blow

shaking the ancient tree

about its massive girth

they seized him and they bore him

and they crushed him to the earth

regaining lofty branches

they did as they were meant

and shook their ruffled feathers

and nodded in assent

a word they had a good word

of a million words abhorred

they would hold to it cling to it

vermillion they roared