Down in Carlisle there lived a lady,
Being most beautiful and gay;
She was determined to live a lady,
No man on earth could her betray.
Unless it being a man of honor,
A man of honor and a high degree;
And then approached two loving soldiers,
This fair lady for to see.
One of them being a brave lieutenant,
A brave lieutenant and a man of war;
The other one being a brave sea captain,
Captain of a ship that's come from far.
Then up spoke this fair young lady,
Saying "I can be but one man's bride
But if you'll return tomorrow morning,
On this case we will decide."
She ordered her a span of horses,
A span of horses at her command;
And down that road together
Till they come to a lions' den.
Well, there they stopped and there they halted
While these two stood gazing around,
And for the space of half an hour,
This young lady lay speechless on the ground.
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Then after while she did recover,
She threw her fan into the lion's den,
Saying, "Which of you to gain a lady
Will return my fan again?"
Then up spoke the brave lieutenant,
In a voice both loud and clear,
Saying, "You know I am a dear lover of women,
But I will not risk my life for love."
Then up and spoke the brave sea captain,
In a voice both loud and high,
Saying," You know I am a true lover of women,
I will return your fan or die."
Into in the lions' den, he boldly entered,
The lions being both wild and fierce;
He walked around and in among them,
And returned her fan again.
And when she saw her true lover coming
Seeing no harm had come to him,
She laid her head upon his bosom
Saying, "Here's the prize that you have won!"
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