An ocean ago

He might have died in a salty grave
Beside his bloodrusty rapier blade
With galleon gold on his eyelids.

He could have been Maid Marion's loss
And died for a bet on the gallow's cross
For defiling a queen or two.

Or paiged with maile for the great Crusade
He would have died in the dragon's cave
With maiden's blood on his jousting pole.

At Normandy beside the king
He might have died for a conqueror's dream
Or for King Harold's crime

But was born an age too late.