Classic Poem

1.

It was in the Wars of the Roses white and red,
And in the days of Prince Charley;
Argyle drew up with his ten thousand strong
Before the courts of Arley.

2.

A maiden fair from a window high
Looked down to him quite surley,
She wished for her Knight with his soldiers strong
To defend the courts of Arley.

3.

" Come down to me, my fair young maid,
Come down and kiss me fairly,
As I vow and I swear by the broad sword I wear
I will not leave a standing stone in Arley. "

4.

" I will not come down, young man, " said she,
" I will not come down to you from Arley,
I will not come down, young man, " said she,
" And I will not kiss you squarely. "

5.

" But there's one thing I would ask of you,
And I hope you will grant it fairly,
It is, take me down to the low green valley low,
That I may not see the plundering of Arley. "

6.

He took me by my left shoulder,
He turned me round quite squarely,
He carried me up to the highest mountain top,
Saying, " Look well upon the plundering of Arley. "

7.

" If my brave Knight had been at home,
Instead of in the wars with Prince Charley,
Then you with all your ten thousand strong
Would never had the plundering of Arley. "