Poem by Arthur Conan Doyle

«Songs of Action» (1898). 27. 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.

1. «Songs of the Road» (1911). 4. A Post-Impressionist
2. «The Guards Came Through» (1919). 5. The Guns in Sussex
3. «Songs of the Road» (1911). 8. The Outcasts
4. «Songs of the Road» (1911). 9. The End
5. «Songs of the Road» (1911). 3. The Arab Steed

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