 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A medieval - style ballad of the Scarlet Pimpernel, based on the Orczy novel, composed for literature class.
|
|
|
|
'Twas in and about seventeen nine-two |
|
|
|
France was having a revolution |
|
|
|
Of liberty, equality |
|
|
|
And modes of execution. |
|
|
|
Revolution turned for the worse |
|
|
(As the course of such things went) |
|
|
|
The guillotine began to claim |
|
|
|
Lives of the innocent. |
|
|
|
So Percy Blakeney, Englishman |
|
|
|
Compiled a secret band |
|
|
Who'd rescue those condemned to death |
|
|
|
Through bold and daring plans. |
|
|
|
The symbol of this close-knit band |
|
|
|
Their foes knew all too well -- |
|
|
|
A small red flower, a family crest |
|
|
|
The scarlet pimpernel. |
|
|
|
Sir Percy's wife he could not trust |
|
|
|
She had been framed, and sadly |
|
|
He would not look her in the face |
|
|
|
Though she still loved him madly. |
|
|
|
A Frenchman came to visit her |
|
|
|
Whom she used to know well |
|
|
|
He asked she use her cunning wit |
|
|
To find the pimpernel. |
|
|
|
She'd nought but admiration for |
|
|
|
This man of scarlet fame |
|
|
|
For she had never known that he |
|
|
|
And Percy were the same. |
|
|
|
Chauvelin (the Frenchman) wished to see |
|
|
|
What news she could uncover |
|
|
So he threatened what she held dear |
|
|
|
In life -- her only brother. |
|
|
|
So she complied and passed on word |
|
|
|
Of where this man could be found |
|
|
|
When she learned who he truly was |
|
|
|
She uttered a strange sound. |
|
|
|
She had betrayed the man she loved |
|
|
|
So she made up her mind -- |
|
|
|
She'd go to France and warn him that |
|
|
His foes were close behind. |
|
|
|
She knew the risks, she knew the truth |
|
|
Chauvelin would want him dead |
|
|
These days, it was so easy for |
|
|
|
A man to lose his head. |
|
|
|
She hid at an inn and knew that soon |
|
|
|
Her husband would appear |
|
|
|
When entered suddenly a man |
|
|
|
Who filled her heart with fear -- |
|
|
|
Chauvelin had come here first, to try |
|
|
|
And catch his slippery prey |
|
|
|
When Percy came, then he could call |
|
|
|
Soldiers not far away. |
|
|
|
Percy's voice rang out loud and clear |
|
|
Singing, "God save the King!" |
|
|
|
Chauvelin, he choked, for he had not |
|
|
Expected such a thing. |
|
|
|
Percy then greeted him with class |
|
|
|
And toyed with his cravat |
|
|
|
And then Percy discreetly dipped |
|
|
|
Snuffbox in pepper-pot. |
|
|
|
Chauvelin was confused by Percy's manners |
|
|
|
Percy was so polite! |
|
|
|
So Percy offered him some snuff, |
|
|
|
And Chauvelin said, "All right." |
|
|
|
Being so close to his enemy |
|
|
Was the least of his woes |
|
|
|
He fell on the floor with violent sneezing |
|
|
|
-- With pepper up his nose! |
|
|
|
He could not call his soldiers now |
|
|
|
And Percy strode off free |
|
|
Rescued his lady and her brother |
|
|
Through ingenuity. |
|
|
|
Percy learned the truth and forgave |
|
|
|
The actions of his wife |
|
|
And praised her for her heroism |
|
|
|
For him she'd risked her life. |
|
|
|
He whispered to his Marguerite |
|
|
"How crazy I must be -- |
|
|
|
'Tis dearer now than life itself |
|
|
|
To have you here with me." |
|
|
|
Back to Pimperphernalia |
|
|
Back to the Study |
|
