Marie of Ecosse

Sound of a song softly sung rose in the air and through windows Barred to let air and light in and little else. A lament sung in Gaelic tongue foreign to ears used to French, But its meaning understood bringing tears . Longingly she peered through the bars over the countryside and trees, Fine they looked in their fresh green coats. White cloud scarse in the azure blue of afternoon sunlight, Her heart broken in myriad pieces. In this old castle surrounded by water was this to be her fate, To die in a stony room of shadows. Her resolve it grew and plans were formed to escape this place, Meeting a friend of old named Douglas. One dark night a boy crept close holding a key for the wooden door, Disguised as a woman of servitude she escapes. In a small boat on the dark waters of the loch oars slashing , Taking her away inch by inch . Fearful of pursuit by her captors hearing the oars dipping, Hoping the dark night would cloak . Was it a failed marriage that brought her here trickery abound, Perhaps because I am a woman bold. A queen she was of royal descent staunch in her beliefs Castigated by a bitter old man . Tricked and used by men of power abuses beyond her ken, Unable in accepting a Queen especially o a different faith Gaiety an sobriety wurnae fur them. Allus dressed in black lukin like giant craws Strutting aboot as if they themsells were yon creaturs o the Earth, Using their Holy Buik tae tell ithers whit tae dae, Nae room fur forgiveness frae them big craws. They plotted oan weys tae rid themsells o this decadent Queen, Ne,er mind that she wus Queen o their laund Rather be under Eglish Liz she wis a protestant efter aa. How foolish ur the plans o men who hae a conceit o themsells. Who wid use ithers tae dae the durty work Aa tae keep therr ain hauns clean an free o blud, But a budy kens who they wur especially therr Goad abune Lookin doon oan those who plot tae kill, Tae further therr oan station an fortune. Gawin agin whit the Guid buk seys deceived intae Daein the work o the deil. Shame o these guid men o Scotlands past, Shame oan therr deceitful weys An tae thie dey their descendents dae the same, Selling an betraying therr kintrey for profit an gain. Andy McIntyre 16/05/2021.