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In school we learned, at home we heard Of heroes' times deep in our past When threat was near and danger loomed: A pale was built to keep out hordes. It was for us a holy age We marked it with feast days With stories told of how the stakes Were driven in the ground. And in the largest of our halls There hung a picture on the wall It showed the task how it was done And those who sacrificed their blood: The pale was raised by them. And when disputes arose within We strove to reach accord And if this task did not succeed Our leaders then would raise their voice: If we do not behave as one The dangers from beyond the pale Will grow and threaten us: The pale did us protect. There was no longer any doubt Our circle played a solemn role So that our old and womenfolk At night could safely sleep And on the streets without alarm Our children they could play: The pale was part of life. One day there came an ardent youth Who strove to gain reform: The ancient ways were old and stale The rules of realm one could revise Bring into line with thought today. But those in power such calls declined For these demands they had no time They would upset and undermine Our way of life and danger spell For that strong ring which us did shield: The pale kept firm the order of the land. Our youngster then thought to himself Such dark and unclear words I cannot understand. More and more his thoughts were set On finding out just what this ring Which was the limit of their world Held back from them outside: The pale it held his mind. And so one day he did resolve To find out for himself What things were placed beyond The far side of the fence. The pale it was a bit away Down by the river marsh There was a tower at which There stood a watchful guard Who did make sure The pale it was not breached. Then very late one night The young man made his move He overcame the drowsy guard He bound him tight, climbed up the tower And waited for the day to break Excited at the view he'd meet. Dumb-struck and wide-eyed He held his breath in awe: He stared across the pale To see another tower And then beyond Through mists of dawn There glistened in the rising sun In endless rings across the plain As far as eyes could see: Pale after pale after pale.
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