The Promise
Out of the autumn mist MacKnelly rode
Quiet as the fox in his lair
The soft rain fell on the deep green wold
Giving the moor a ghostly air
Into the great hall's courtyard he rode
Hooves clattering over the stone
Standing in the great hall there
She waited for him alone
Taking her hands gently in his
He held them to his heart
Swore his undying love for her
Swore that soon they would never part
"But the scent of war is in the wind
And to it I must ride
Yet I swear to you I will return
And take you for my bride."
Kissing his hands she looked in his eyes
Her bearing stood straight as a tree
Without a tear on her face, or catch in her voice
Or trembling hand to see.
"My blessing will fly at your heel with the hound
And I will be at your side
On my oath to you I swear this day
When you return I will be your bride."
As she watched MacKnelly ride into the mist
The tears began to flow
She sank to her knees and silently prayed
That the Gods would with him go.
The air of June was warm on the wind
When next over the moor he sped.
The wren sang it's song on the bushy limb
And the roses blossomed red.
And never was a more beautiful bride
In her father's hall e'er seen
Then Clan Ranald's lovely daughter
The blue eyed, fair Caillean.
Painting: "Godspeed" by Edmund Blair Leighton