<h2><SPAN name="page131"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>THE FRANKLIN’S MAID<br/> (<i>From</i> ‘<i>The White Company</i>’)</h2>
<p class="poetry">The franklin he hath gone to roam,<br/>
The franklin’s maid she bides at home;<br/>
But she is cold, and coy, and staid,<br/>
And who may win the franklin’s maid?</p>
<p class="poetry">There came a knight of high renown<br/>
In bassinet and ciclatoun;<br/>
On bended knee full long he prayed—<br/>
He might not win the franklin’s maid.</p>
<p class="poetry">There came a squire so debonair,<br/>
His dress was rich, his words were fair.<br/>
He sweetly sang, he deftly played—<br/>
He could not win the franklin’s maid.</p>
<p class="poetry"><SPAN name="page132"></SPAN><span class="pagenum">p.
132</span>There came a mercer wonder-fine,<br/>
With velvet cap and gaberdine;<br/>
For all his ships, for all his trade,<br/>
He could not buy the franklin’s maid.</p>
<p class="poetry">There came an archer bold and true,<br/>
With bracer guard and stave of yew;<br/>
His purse was light, his jerkin frayed—<br/>
Haro, alas! the franklin’s maid!</p>
<p class="poetry">Oh, some have laughed and some have cried,<br/>
And some have scoured the countryside;<br/>
But off they ride through wood and glade,<br/>
The bowman and the franklin’s maid.</p>
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