Some say that souls are twined in spirit,
with bonds that never will be broken.
Here's a tale, for those who'll hear it,
words of lore, long ago spoken.
The story tells of Jacob Rand,
a scoundrel in some people's eyes,
a ne'er-do-well who roamed the land;
skilled master of stealth and disguise.
Few had ever really seen him
though every person knew the name
of Jacob Rand, and most, they feared him,
for ev'ry crime they gave him blame.
In dark of night, he rode, they said,
upon a stallion, strong and fast
beneath a cloak to hide his head
like a shadow drifting past..
Some said he had a golden buckle,
upon the belt around his waist,
and rings of rubies on each knuckle,
the spoils of rich men, now misplaced.
And at his side a sword he wore,
glinting in the pale moonlight,
while lurking ‘round locked gate and door,
in the darkest part of night.
Then one day a maiden riding
with her servants, through the woods
was attacked by robbers hiding
by the road with cloaks and hoods.
Her servants all were stricken helpless,
the band of thugs were seven-strong,
just when things were looking hopeless
a horse and rider came along.
By the time the air had cleared
the stranger lay flat on the ground
blood was dripping down his beard
his breath a shallow, raspy sound.
As the maiden tried to save him,
washed his wounds clean with her tears,
night approached, the sky grew dim
his words brought sorrow to her ears.
He said, "my soul can now be free
I give my life to you
M'Lady, please don't cry for me
I know I must now bid adieu."
Despite his plea, she wept the same;
upon his heart, she gently held his hand
begging "please, tell me your name".
weakly, he replied — "I am Jacob Rand,
long I've suffered blame for deeds not done
but now as I prepare my final breath,
my soul at last its vindication won,
will soon be freed from guilt upon my death."
The story goes, as I have heard it told,
that she refused to leave his side,
but held him as the night grew cold
while in the darkness, silently she cried.
And if you venture deep into the woods
as sunlight breaks its way between the leaves
you'll find, upon the grassy place they stood
a vision in the light beneath the trees.
The skeleton of Jacob Rand, they say,
lies resting underneath an ancient tree
and always grazing never far away
the maiden, as a unicorn, you'll see.
november 2003 © Janet Reid
Awarded by Friendly Musings
Awarded by Friendly Musings ~ November 2003
Awarded by New Horizons ~ April 23, 2004
