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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SONG OF THE BOW, FR. THE WHITE COMPANY by ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

First Line: WHAT OF THE BOW?
Last Line: AND THE LAND WHERE THE TRUE HEARTS DWELL.
Subject(s): COURAGE; ENGLAND; PATRIOTISM; VALOR; BRAVERY; ENGLISH;

WHAT OF the bow?
The bow was made in England:
Of true wood, of yew wood,
The wood of English bows;
So men who are free
Love the old yew-tree
And the land where the yew-tree grows.

What of the cord?
The cord was made in England:
A rough cord, a tough cord,
A cord that bowmen love;
So we'll drain our jacks
To the English flax
And the land where the hemp was wove.

What of the shaft?
The shaft was cut in England:
A long shaft, a strong shaft,
Barbed and trim and true;
So we'll drink all together
To the gray goose feather,
And the land where the gray goose flew.

What of the men?
The men were bred in England:
The bowman -- the yeoman --
The lads of dale and fell.
Here's to you -- and to you!
To the hearts that are true
And the land where the true hearts dwell.



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