"The Lyre and the Sword: An Anthology of Heroic Pitaxian Poetry"

"Dedication When we speak of the fine arts of Pitax, we must always keep in mind our great ruler — King Irovetti, our patron and philanthropist. Poetry means Irovetti and Irovetti means poetry, and so it will always be as long as at least one poet still composes stanzas within these blessed lands. The poet's heart is like a fluttering goldfinch in the tender arms of a girl, and within Pitax, the heart of every bard reacts to Irovetti's name with that same fluttering. Each rhyme of this anthology was born under the shadow of the wings of our wise King's fatherly love. Each line is imbued with blood shed on the battlefield beneath the victorious royal banner. Each symbol burns with the heat of the defeated enemies of Pitax. We create poetry, and our King helps us to capture that elusive imagery. We fight, and our King covers us with an invisible shield. We set out in search for new lands, and our King waters the parched lips of the tired travelers with life-giving moisture. Wherever we are, whatever we do, our ruler is always with us. He soars above us like an invisible guardian angel. And with indescribable pride, we dedicate this collection of poems, 'The Lyre and the Sword,' to that Great Patron of Arts, King Irovetti. May His heavenly azure soul flourish along with His unfading mind and His invulnerable body!"