Godspeed

In courting his lady, the knight did ask her father for her hand.
The sire said "First you must travel across the land."

"Find the Golden Heart, and true love will be your journey's end."
The knight's heart tightened in his chest at the thought of parting on
this quest.

He gave his love a locket wrought of purest gold,
filled with all the love he had in his heart for her to hold.

So dressed in armor upon his steed,the maiden bid the young knight "Godspeed".

She waved him a tearful farewell and clutched the locket to her chest.
Return to me soon my love.. to live without you for too long is a chore
I cannot best."

As he rode out with her kiss fresh on his lips, he'd no idea where to go.
He let the reigns go slack in his hand, in hopes his horse might know.

The mount plodded steadily on, into a woods and through.
He took the long way around and back to his stall, as a horse is want
to do.

He climbed from the saddle, watered the steed and pondered what to say.
As he left the stable his ears were greeted by the sound of music light
and gay.

His betrothed was gently playing to her father's drowsy ear.
When he looked upon her face he pushed aside his fear.

Climbing the steps into the manor, he knocked twice, dreading the old
man's displeasure.
"Ah, there you are!" the old man said, seeming to be completely at
leisure.

"I wasn't sure you'd be so quick, and solve the quest in less than a single day.
But knowing your love for my daughter, I doubted you could stay away."

The maiden looked into her fathers eyes and asked, "Father does he now
have your blessing to marry thee?" "Yes my dear child," he replied, "and tomorrow a wedding there shall be."

The knight had known love all along, twas in his heart, of course.
By chance his journey's rapid end he owed to 'Godspeed', his horse!