Blake: A Lament, in the style of William McGonagall, Poet and Tragedian

By Chris Blenkarn

'Twas in the Autumn of the year in the fourth series of Blake's Seven
The crew of the Scorpio did resolve to leave their base at Xenon
To run away with dignity, bound for Gauda Prime
To find Roj Blake, whom they had not seen for a very long time.

O hideous Gauda Prime! Thy dreaded name fills all men with fear and dread
For it is a place where vile bounty hunters kill true rebels dead.
Across the vast and raging galaxy the ship fled on and on
The crew's hearts still were true and stalwart, and not at all woebegone.


Blake sat on the forest greensward, the trees arched high o'erhead
His hair was gray, his eye was wild, his heart grown hard, 'tis said.
Upon a fire the grim-faced leader was roasting animals sundry
When a rebel bold called Arlen assayed him, for she was very hungry.

Three bounty hunters came through the trees, Arlen for to slaughter
She killed two, but the third shot her in the leg when he fought her.
As she lay desp'rate wounded, Blake slew the man in the fray,
Then said she was his prisoner, which news did her sore dismay.


As Scorpio drew near Gauda Prime, gunships with fell intent
Opened fire upon the doughty ship, her engines they did rend
The crew teleported to the ground, save for brave Del Tarrant
Who tried his best to land the ship, his action was most valiant.

Kerr Avon was the last to leave when Tarrant cried "avaunt!"
The gallant pilot stayed at his post as his leader did teleport.
Then forth with a sad heart and a swift pace, but heart ne'er craven
Under the moon's beautiful silvery light walked on the black-clad Avon.


Vila, Dayna, and Soolin marched through the forest wild, growing weary and footsore
They found a dwelling and shelter took, not wanting to walk any more.
Vile bounty hunters tried to capture them, they Vila did sore affright
Until the fierce Kerr Avon came and shot them dead in the balmy night.


Blake: a Lament, in the style of William McGonagall, Poet and Tragedian Page 2

Proud Scorpio had crashed, alas, upon the forest verdant
While treach'rous gunrunners roamed the skies, their hopes of gain still fervent
All the while, the brave Del Tarrant lay, a-weltering in his gore
That fickle jade Dame Fortune laid him low, but not one oath he swore.

Then Blake drew near the dauntless man, his parlous state to' espy
And took him to his base forthwith without any more delay.
Kerr Avon and his friends pursued them close, I do declare
As their flyer descended into the fateful silo, their hearts did ne'er despair.


Inside the base, the distrustful Blake did test the 'intrepid Tarrant
Who knocked his gun from out his hand then ran away defiant
Unto the gallery where, I venture to say, he made a fateful blunder,
And fell upon the confounded Klyn, because he didn't know Blake was not a real bounty hunter.

When the rebels came in and found the pilot, exceeding great was their joy
Then when Klyn gave the alarm, Avon shot her, for she did him annoy.
But now with solemn voice a sorry tale I must relate at last,
Which will cause many people to moisten their eyes and feel downcast.

Weepst thou with me! For now comes Blake upon this sorry day
To find his friend all pale and gaunt who with a glittering eye
Addresses him with these sorrowful words, "oh didst thou me betray?"
He answers "Avon, I was waiting for you," but his words they gang agley.

Alas! The burly rebel with these words doth seal his doom.
Kerr Avon shoots him once, twice, thrice, his face is full of gloom.
Oh Blake! Thy chest is bloody, thou liest upon the floor
Thy Cause was just, but now you're dead, never to rise any more.

And now my tale is almost done, for the base Arlen proves an officer.
Vila strikes her down, but 'tis in vain, for she brought Federation troopers with her.
One by one the rebels fall, I ween, all but the unhappy Avon
Who now bestrides Blake's body, and on whose face a ghastly smile is graven.

Oh goodly rebel band, thy untimely end did sore distress many a fan
And the grievous sight made us curse the day the Federation was born.
But your deeds will live on in our hearts, let no man impune
And they are now at peace in Heaven above, which we think a very great boon.

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Last changed on 07th of September 1998