Battered Porphyry
‘The eldest girl, Ria, was in plaster up to her hips for four years as a result of a bad fall, and Hélène [Foufounis] later
described how Philip would sit for long periods next to her [Ria’s] bed talking to her, refusing to be lured away by the
children. One day a spectacularly insensitive guest bought some toys for all the children except Ria, explaining to her
that “you can’t play like the others”. The others were stunned by this, none more so than four-year-old Philip, whose eyes
“grew wider and bluer. He looked at Ria, who was trying very hard not to cry, then he ran out of the room and returned
ten minutes later with his arms full of his own battered toys, and his new one, and he put them all on Ria’s bed saying, “All
this is yours!” ’ ~ Philip Eade, Young Prince Philip, 48-49
A mix of boisterous boyness and frank
Good nature, that was Philip, Prince
Of Greece. But he was also full of prank-
like slyness needed to deflect the wince
Caused by crudeness. But wait. I just now said
“Of boisterous boyness,” so that’s of course.
Who knows what’s going on inside the head
Of lads? And who could understand this Norse
Prince sitting by the side of Ria, so
Devoted to bedridden girl needs
That no one else could tempt him from the glow
He wanted for her. Selflessness’s deeds
Were his. Alien to the realm of boys
Of lower sorts, he gave her all his toys.
This poem is part of a shorter sonnet sequence within this large sonnet sequence called The Encyclopedia Sonnetica. The shorter sonnet sequence is called “Philip, Prince of Greece and Great Britain.” I recommend you read this poem where it is set in its sonnet sequence. To do that, search for “Philip, Prince of Greece and Great Britain” here in The Encyclopedia Sonnetica.