The Night Terror Blues
THOMAS THE RHYMER, a XIIIth century poet, experienced the enchantment of Faerie. One day, as he lay down on Huntlie bank, no less a person than the Queen of Elfland, dressed in green, rode past on a horse whose mane was plaited with countless silver faerie bells. He was trapped by a kiss & taken on the back of a horse across deserts & rivers of blood to a green garden in Elfland. An apple gave him the gift of prophecy & a tongue that could not lie.
Thomas lived for seven years in Elfland before he returned to earth to write poetry & make true prophecies. Some say that eventually he went back & still lives on as an adviser in the faerie court. But others never return from the land of faerie. Among these there are the handsome lads lured away to become the lovers of faerie princesses, & the young boys who are given work to do or those who are trained as extra soldiers for faerie battles.
Written by Francis James Child from The English & Scottish Popular Ballads from FAERIES
Thomas the Rhymer: 7 Step Outline
1. The Setup…Thomas lay on a grassy bank as a lady dressed in green silk & velvet comes riding over the fern on a horse with a mane plaited with silver bells
2. Inciting Incident…Thomas exclaims she must be the Queen of Heaven, she says that name does not belong to her, she is but the Queen of Elf-land come to visit him
3. Act 1 Turning Point…The Queen suggests that Thomas should go with her for seven years. He agrees & they begin their journey, riding swifter than any wind as the bells on the horse ring
4. Mid-Point…They ride the magical horse for forty days & nights, through blood, hearing only the roaring of the sea, seeing neither sun nor moon, until they reach a garden
5. Act 2 Turning Point…In the garden, Thomas offers to pluck some fruit for the Queen but she says the fruit cannot be touched by thee & offers him bread & wine instead. When they had finished eating & rested, they climb the top of a hill
6. Act 3 Turning Point…The Queen shows Thomas two roads, the path to righteousness, a narrow path thick with thorns & briars, & another which winds about the fern, the road to Elf-land where Thomas & she may go
7. Resolution…Thomas receives gifts from Elf-land of a coat & shoes & is not seen on Earth for seven years, he is warned that if he speaks of what he hears or sees, he wont be able to get back to his own country
