Clang! wide the open doors disclose
A Swedish knight to view;
Although bescarred with numerous blows,
Yet is his courage true.
His face with blood is crimson red,
Covered with wounds and hacks;
The Frame whose spirit scarce has fled,
Is bruised with spear and axe.
Clotted his hair is, cloven his brain, -
Matters I loathe to mention -
May vengeance swift th' assassins gain
By Jesus Christ's subvention.
His pistol cocked is held in hand,
As if for firing ready;
But clay-cold winds from Charon's strand
Have slackened sinews steady.
He greeted them most courteously,
In Swedish way and manner.
Questions the King, "Do we know thee?
Foughtest thou for our banner?".
"I was", said he, "of major's rank
And Malcolm Sinclair called:
I from beyond the Stygian bank
Arrive here unappalled."
"How," said the King, "becam'st thou dead,
Warrior renowned and skilled?
And why with blood so smeared and red,
Like deer unkindly killed ?"
"Sire", said the Swedish warrior bold,
"Bellona, Dame capricious,
Rewards at times, so I am told,
With presents thus malicious"
The Standing Stones of Stennis are in several groups, of which the most remarkable are those termed the Circle of Stennis, and the Ring of Brogar. The former of these is on the south side of the Bridge of Brogar, near the edge of the Loch of Stennis, and at a short distance from the public road. A great portion of the circle is destroyed, but it appears to have been about 235 feet in diameter, measuring from the outer edge of the embankment. The original number of the stones composing the Circle was probably twelve, although only two now remain standing, the tallest of which is 18 feet in height, 4 feet 7 inches in breadth at the base, much broader at the top, and about 11 inches thick. The other stone is 15 3/4 feet high, and much thicker and broader than its neighbour. Another very large block of stone, 18 feet long, and calculated to weigh upwards of 10 tons, lies on the ground, having been thrown down in 1815. The circle, when complete, must have had a very imposing appearance. The remains of a cromlech are still visible within the circle. It is not in the centre, but towards one side, and the remains of the flat top stone still rest partially on two of the upright stones, which have latterly been pushed outwards from beneath it. The perforated Stone of Odin stood to the Northward, near the Bridge of Brogar, and at the south end of the bridge the immense "Watch Stone" raises its hoary head. The hole that was cut through the upper part of this Stone of Odin was for the purpose, it is supposed, of tying the sacrificial victim; but in after years it was used in quite another way. When young people fell in love, they resorted to the Stone of Odin, and joining hands through it, plighted their troths. "When the parties had agreed to marry, they repaired to the temple of the Moon, where the woman, in the presence of the man, fell down on her knees and prayed to the god Woden (for such was the name of the god whom they addressed on this occasion) that he would enable her to perform all the promises and obligations she had made, and was to make, to the young man present; after which they both went to the temple of the Sun, where the man prayed in like manner before the woman. Then they went to the Stone of Odin; and the man being on the one side, and the woman on the other, they took hold of each other's right hand through the hole in it, and there swore to be constant and faithful to each other. [This betrothal ceremony was known as the "Promise of Odin"]
When the couple wished to annul this vow, they simply repaired to the Church of Stennis - the one passing out at the north door, the other at the south and the thing was done. It is said that the people used to leave offerings at the stone; and there was a prevalent belief to the effect that a child who was passed through the Stone of Odin would never shake with the palsy. The large circle of Standing Stones is on a slope on the north side of the bridge, and is 366 feet in diameter, measuring from the inner edge of the ditch which surrounds the circle of stones. The ditch or trench is about 29 feet wide, 6 feet of average depth, and encloses a space containing nearly 2 ½ acres. The number of stones in this ring was probably sixty originally, but thirteen only are now standing, and ten are lying on the ground, besides several stumps. The highest standing stone is 13 feet 3 inches, and the lowest 4 ½ feet; but the latter has evidently been broken. The ground within the circle has never been levelled.