Poem: "Reclaiming the Throne"

This poem came out of the February 5, 2013 Poetry Fishbowl.  It was inspired by a prompt from moonwolf1988.  It has been sponsored by janetmiles.  You can read more about the villanelle form online.

It hurt more than the assassin's knife,
which he survived -- he's a tough old thing --
it hurt more than losing his sweet wife.

He buried his son, the wailing fife
piercing his ears like a hornet's sting.
It hurt more than the assassin's knife.

He gave up retirement, once rife
with relaxation, again the king --
it hurt more than losing his sweet wife.

The crown was a gold garland of strife
that gave him headaches, the wretched thing.
It hurt more than the assassin's knife.

He needed a new heir, a new life
to follow him, but gaining that ring --
it hurt more than losing his sweet wife.

In the gardens he planted loosestrife,
his sorrow blossoming with each spring.
It hurt more than the assassin's knife;
it hurt more than losing his sweet wife.