Elizabeth Went Walking Down

An untold tale of Queen Elizabeth

“Elizabeth Went Walking Down”

 

Elizabeth went walking well

Outside the palace grounds -

A disguise she wore upon her face

For to visit Londontown

 

She felt the cobbles ‘neath her feet

Wore neither crown nor gems –

Elizabeth went walking down

Beside the rolling Thames

 

On the bridge that crosses there

She came upon a sight –

A gentleman was climbing o’er

To jump into the night

 

Forgive me, sir, she said to him

As Elizabeth walked near –

I cannot seem to find my way

So would you be a dear?

 

He did not answer right away

Just stared down at the river –

Elizabeth she took a step

When he began to shiver

 

Oh my dearest lady you

Must not take a walk with me –

Whence I travel from this bridge

‘Tis towards Eternity

 

Elizabeth removed her mask

So he could clearly see –

I come as friend to you and yours

So call me Liz, said she

 

Oh your glorious Majesty

No that could never be –

You are the Queen of all England

And I’m a nobody

 

I am the Queen of all England

As you most rightly say –

So I must not wander by myself

Sir, you must lead the way

 

Your Maje - - Liz, you cannot be

Seen walking with a nobody –

Right you are again, good sir,

You must my Chancellor be!

 

The pair walked on past Parliament

Back to the palace gates –

The gentleman in tears had been

Now smile-touched his face

 

When darkness threatens England brave

By sorrow or by frown –

Those will be the streets

Elizabeth went walking down

 

Reviews

[The Lone Wolf Prose]

I like this poem a lot. The slant rhymes were definitely at work in this poem. It is an interesting little narrative poem and I enjoyed it quite immensely... Sometimes the meter was a little hard to continue because of the rhyming scheme but I like that in poems when it is not completely "in sync" all the time. Though others would argue otherwise.... Very great work! I look forward to reading more of your poems!

[Mark Wallace]

I enjoyed this, witty, conversational style and interesting premise. You're obviously familiar with old ballads, that influence seems to come through. The meter isn't kept to that strictly, but that's also typical of ballads. "Nobody" and "Chancellor be" is a really ropey rhyme, though. You have to really force the pronunciation to make them rhyme.
The last verse is also a little underwhelming; not bad, but not great, either. It would be nice to end with more impact. I enjoyed this, though, good storytelling.