Sir Arthur Conan Doyle



                   The Franklin's Maid


                   The franklin he hath gone to roam, 
                   The franklin's maid she bides at home; 
                   But she is cold, and coy, and staid, 
                   And who may win the franklin's maid? 

                   There came a knight of high renown 
                   In bassinet and ciclatoun; 
                   On bended knee full long he prayed — 
                   He might not win the franklin's maid. 

                   There came a squire so debonair, 
                   His dress was rich, his words were fair. 
                   He sweetly sang, he deftly played — 
                   He could not win the franklin's maid. 
                   
                   There came a mercer wonder-fine, 
                   With velvet cap and gaberdine; 
                   For all his ships, for all his trade, 
                   He could not buy the franklin's maid. 
                   
                   There came an archer bold and true, 
                   With bracer guard and stave of yew; 
                   His purse was light, his jerkin frayed — 
                   Haro, alas! the franklin's maid! 
                    
                   Oh, some have laughed and some have cried, 
                   And some have scoured the countryside; 
                   But off they ride through wood and glade, 
                   The bowman and the franklin's maid. 


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