The East was at war with the Midrealm again.
Nigh three decades this has gone on.
The East has ranks as best as they could,
yet they were outnumbered two to one.
The East has been pushed to the river between
their lands, three bridges they hold.
The East has deployed their forces too thin.
There is danger they'll cash in and fold.
The King paced around and said with a frown,
"There is no hope three bridges we'll hold.
We must try to even these odds.
We need a plan brave and bold."
Nicholas the Norman stood forth with a smile.
"Sire, just give me a night.
I pledge the Norman Engineer Corps
will even the odds by first light."
Nicholas drew up plans for a bomb
with supply master Bohemond in tow
Bohemond laid out gear they would need
for William to build, but no,
"For engines and weapons of siege I'm your man,
"for breaking down walls is my field.
"I'll wire up a clock to set off the charge
but for explosives to Lambert I'll yield."
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Nicholas and Bohemond built a strong frame
while Lambert mixed up the charge.
William wired up the clock to set off
a bomb both heavy and large.
"Somehow the bomb must be placed on the bridge.
We need a strong, courageous fool."
There was a Scotsman drunk by the fire.
"Ah, John West, he'll do."
John West lumbered off to the bridge
with the bomb in a create on his back.
He may not have been the sharp tool in the shed.
But raw courage he didn't lack.
He set down the bomb and then ran for his life
with Midrealm knights charging behind
The timer hit zero and there went the bridge
and the Midrealm knights scattered in kind.
The battle was over, the East had prevailed.
Four Normans and a Scotsman were before
the king who thanked them with a pat on the back
and sent them all right out the door.
That night a pageboy came with a note.
"Sire, a message for you."
'Twas a bill from the Norman Engineer Corps
for services, payment is due.
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