The White Doe

The White Doe

Under the full moon, out into the woodland

there rode out three horsemen, to hunt in the night.
One wielded a long bow, one clutched at a spear

the last held a horn in the shining moonlight

They hunted a white stag, seen roaming the woodland's

and sure of their own skill, they've bet till first light.

That three huntsmen only, could capture this great prize,

and bring home the glory, and show off their might.  

The White Doe is running, she knows they are coming,

she hears the horn calling,

The horse heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

She flees down a new path.

The shadows would hide her, but moonlight is fiercer

and no place of darkness could smother her flank

The huntsmen see flashes of light through the tree's and

they've come to her lapping the cool riverbank.

Up came the long bow, and out came the arrow,

he notched to the string and the Father let loose

it nicked at the white doe who fled through the forest

and into a groove grown with aspen and spruce.

The White Doe is running, she knows they are coming,

she hears the horn calling,

The horse heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

She flees down a new path.

They came to a trail, that spit into three paths

Now Father go westward, and Brother go east,

I'll travel now onward, and should the horn sound out

Then hurry to my side, for I've found the beast.

The Father took off left, and the Brother took right,  

the youngest went forward to track trail and mud.

He came upon leaflets, left stained on the straight path

and shallow steps fresh left with droplets of blood.

The White Doe is running, she knows they are coming,

she hears the horn calling,

The horse heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

She flees down a new path.  

Exhausted and wounded, she lays in the forest,  

shortly he finds her, the horn he's brought high  

but hearing her soft sigh, and look at the white doe.

he lowers the horn let's it fall at his side.

“What folly was told us, that you were a stag

seen roaming the woodland, we left then to hunt.

Here gentle white dearling , If you let me closer,

I'll tend to your wound, and I'll right this affront.”

The White Doe is stilling she knows he is coming

she hears his voice calling

The boot heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

and follows a new path.

He came to the white doe, and bandaged her cut leg,

He lifted her high, to his saddle and steed

then up leapt behind her to turn them back homeward

and join with his kin where they split in the reed.

He sounds out the hunting horn, keeps heading south

his father and brother soon ride through the loam,

But both are quite shaken when they see their kinsman

who carried the white doe alive to their home.

The White Doe is stilling she knows he is coming

she hears his voice calling

The boot heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

and follows a new path.

With patience and caring, he tends to her healing

and pens her with him in his own stronghold keep

but she cannot stay while the light is upon her,

and come full moons rise she escapes while he sleeps

Her heartbeat is pounding, she must keep on running

out into the greenwood, it pulls at her now

No wall can contain her, no chain keep her from there

a promise she broke and the price of a vow.

The White Doe is stilling she knows he is coming

she hears his voice calling

The boot heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

and follows a new path.

Her footsteps are sure but her ground is uneven

and time hasn't passed long since she had been held

she trips down an old trail, and limps to the river,

that flows twix her glade to the keep where he dwelled.

His voice getting louder, he's sure now to find her

she waits for him there by the cold streamlet flow.

He jumps from his own horse and gently walks to her

so quiet he walks softly forward and slow

The White Doe is stilling she knows he is coming

she hears his voice calling

The boot heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

and follows a new path.

“Be still now, my dearling, I've come only shortly

to take off the last of the salves from your wound.”

He took up her leg and unwrapped all the binding,

and all the while softly he sang and he crooned

He knew he must leave her, back to that green forest

where wild run the dear through the bracken and merle

but for his last farewell he gave her a kiss.

And the moonlight engulfed them all fast in a whirl

The White Doe is stilling she knows he is coming

she hears his voice calling

The boot heavy footsteps, that tread in the wild grass

and follows a new path.

Now lay their a fair maid, all gowned in fine silk

her hair soft around her as white as moonlight

and sitting before her a young gentle huntsman

whose breath was fast stolen by shock and delight.

The two left together, there out of the woodland's

and back to the keep she returns by her will.

her light hearted air and his gentle hand guiding

the two came together and live out there still.