Virtue Most Aggressive

Goodness, in the hands of this paladin, is entirely genuine and utterly incapable of moderation. When evil appears, he confronts it; when confusion arises, he explains it; and when anyone might benefit from moral instruction, he provides it regardless of whether assistance was requested.

His dignity survives every indignity, from stumbling upon his own lace to attempting diplomacy while being struck upon the chin. The song’s comedy lies not in hypocrisy or arrogance, but in compassion pursued so relentlessly that righteousness becomes almost overwhelming. His finest quality and most exasperating flaw are the same: he cannot encounter the world without attempting to improve it.

The title itself revealeth the heart of the composition. I did not seek merely to write a song about virtue, but about virtue pursued with such magnificent enthusiasm that it becometh almost overwhelming. The paladin is not arrogant in the common sense, nor doth he delight in judging others. He simply believeth, with absolute sincerity, that righteousness demandeth action. If evil appeareth, he shall confront it. If confusion ariseth, he shall explain it. If a weary soul requireth guidance, he shall provide it, whether invited or not. Thus the comedy springeth not from hypocrisy, but from goodness carried to its most exuberant and uncompromising extreme.

His virtue is tested not by darkness, but by inconvenience. He stumbleth upon his own lace, attempts diplomacy whilst being struck upon the chin, and delivereth speeches so earnest that villains flee before their conclusion; through all of it, he never abandons either grace or compassion. His greatest strength and greatest flaw are one and the same: he cannot help but improve the world around him. Therefore his promise, “I shall explain… why thou wert wrong,” is no threat, but an act of sincere charity. Virtue Most Aggressive is the desire to leave every soul a little better than one found it… albeit by rather forceful means.