Unicorns and Thoughts Thereon

new • about • rings • main • quotes • links • contact • copyright
on meeting a unicorn • unicorn by any other name

A Medieval Folksong

The nightingale among them
Sang sweet and loud and long,
Until a greater voice than hers
Rang out above her song.
For suddenly, among the crags,
Along the narrow vale,
The echoes of a hunting horn
Came clear upon the gale.

The hunter stood beside me
Who blew that mighty horn
I saw that he was hunting
The gentle unicorn --
But the unicorn is noble,
He knows his gentle birth
He knows that God has chosen him,
Above all beasts of earth.

The unicorn is noble;
He keeps him safe and high,
Upon a narrow path and steep,
Climbing to the sky,
And there no man can take him,
He scorns the hunter's dart
And only a virgin's mighy power
Shall tame his haughty heart.

What would be now the state of us,
But for this unicorn?
And what would be the fate of us,
Poor sinners, lost, forlorn?
Oh, may He lead us on and up,
Unworthy though we be,
Into His Father's kingdom,
To dwell eternally!

I will now confess that I originally encountered this lovely work at Gloriana's Court many years ago, although as far as I have researched, it's a non-copyrighted Medieval folksong and I have always credited Gloriana's site as my source. I would like to note that she's got a lot of really wonderful Medieval and fantasy stuff, and a lot of good Christian inspirational materials. Definitely well worth a look!

new • about • rings • main • quotes • links • contact • copyright
on meeting a unicorn • unicorn by any other name

Images, content, and design copyright © Bonni Elizabeth Hall, 1994-2002.
All rights reserved. No unauthorized use.
Please look, read, and enjoy, but please don't take, borrow, copy, or steal my original works.