The Lady of Carlisle

Down in Carlisle there lived a lady

She was beautiful and gay

She was determined to stay a lady

No man on earth could her betray

Unless it was a man of honour

A man of honour and high degree

And there approached two lucky soldiers

This fair young lady for to see

One being a brave lieutenant

A brave lieutenant and a man of war

The other being a bold sea captain

Captain of a ship that had come from afar

And then up spoke that brave young lady

Saying, "I can be but one man's bride

If you'll come back tomorrow morning

On this case we will decide"

She ordered her a span of horses

A span of horses at her command

And down the road these three together

They rode 'til they come to the lion's den

And there they stopped and there they halted

Those two soldiers stood gazing around

And for the space of a half-an-hour

That young lady lay speechless on the ground

And when she did recover

Threw her fan in the lions' den

Saying, "Which of you to gain a lady

Will return my fan again"

And then up spoke that brave lieutenant

He raised his voice both loud and clear

He said, "I know I am a dear lover of women

I will not risk my life for love"

And then up spoke that bold sea captain

He raised his voice both loud and high

He said, "I know I am a dear lover of women

I will return your fan or die"

In the lions' den he boldly entered

The lions being both wild and fierce

He walked unharmed and in a moment

He did return her fan again

And when she saw her lover coming

Seeing no harm to him was done

She laid her head all upon his bosom

"Take the prize that you have won"