Saved by the Buttonhole

“They are buttonhole relations, when the buttonhole breaks, they are nothing”
~ North Longford saying

The arms of the Drake family of Drakesrath in Meath, also the arms of Drake of Ashe
The arms of the Drake family of Drakesrath in Meath, also the arms of Drake of Ashe

The flames of war streaked the sky
Death reaped her bounty of those who died
The order was out-slaughter without mercy
Take no prisoners from the losing side.

The sword was wielded, harbinger of death
By it, the enemies quickly died
The slaughter paused in quickness of a sudden
When the buttons on one mans uniform were spied

Why you wear the Wavern Gules
What right have you such appearance to make?
“I wear because I am”, said the other
“Of the ancient and noble family of Drake.

I am, who is on this battlefield before you
At your mercy of your wrath,
Look kindly on your distant kinsman
I am of the Drakes of Drakesrath.”

Spared he was by his distant kinsman
Pardoned he was by a kinsman’s plea
Saved by the Wavern Gules on a buttonhole
That unbroken unites a family across the Irish Sea.

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