The Bowmaid's Travail
By Aleezabet

The line was formed and straddled
By many a shapely calf
The Marshall called the nocking
And winked at the pretty lass.

All the bows were drawn tight back
Many bowstrings touched to cheek
As they fired their fledgling flights
They heard the Maiden "EeK!"

"Sing Hey, Ho listen and beware
If ye've any over large parts
Ye'll keep them out of there!"

The bowman smiled and nodded
As the Maiden struck a pose
"Try again M'Darlin Dear…
"And watch out for y'er nose!"

The Maiden rubbed her forearm
And looked backward with a glare
Nocked yet another arrow
And hit the bull's-eye right square.

"Sing Hey, Ho, listen and beware
If ye've any over large parts
Ye'll keep them out of there!"

Gentles all they tipped their hats
The Marshall cleared the rye field
The Maiden went to fetch her flights
The men trod close at her heels.

Returning with manly stride,
Yet again, she took her stance.
The bowmen's eyes all glimmered,
With mischief far in advance.

"Sing Hey, Ho, listen and beware
If ye value ye're pretty young parts
Ye'll keep them out of there!"

Pulling back hard on the string
To her ruddy cheek so close
She let another arrow fly free
The string hit her in the nose!

Tears welled in the Maiden's eyes
The gentlemen rushed the Dear
Wiping the pretty lass's face
Of every single tear.

"Sing Hey, Ho, listen and beware!
If ye value ye're pretty parts
Keep them well out of there!"

They brushed the few strayed locks
Of auburn from her dear eyes
Handed her the fine longbow
And heard the fair Maiden sigh.

"Try again, M'Dear Mistress"
T'is for ye're form we do fear
So be very careful maid
Keep those nipples out of here!

Sing Hey, Ho listen and beware
If ye value ye're perky parts
Please! Keep them out of there!"

T'was 'pon the final flurry
As she drew string back to cheek
"Thwack" went the taunt bowstring
And yet again the Maid "Eeked!"

The maiden blanched deathly white
'Pon her brow there came a frown
Still, when the Marshall called count
She shot yet another go round.

"Hey, Ho, this songs not meant to scare
T'is simply a friendly warning
Not to put ye're pretty parts there!"

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 9-Feb-02.