Claude the Dumb Horse Boy

He being born of a high estate was dealt by life a twisted fate.
Instead of being fine and fair
He was born with a hair lip and a cauliflower eare.
Because of the embarrassment it would cause,
It was the maid by secrecy of night who stoled him away
And hid him down to the stables where the horses eat hay
But the child grew up strong as if he didn't belong
Claude the dumb horse boy's structure was straight and his character was firm
And of every other virtue his soul was aderned
In spite of the ugliness of his face, he took first place in every race
And in shacklry and steeple-chase
Above all the other boys he excelled in the art riding well.
But a shining vision appeared one day,
A beautiful young girl who had left her mistress's side
To come down to the stables to learn how to ride
So Claude the dumb horse boy did an inconceivable thing
He fell in love with the prettiest girl he's ever seen.
Soon Claude began to school her in every aspect of stablery and equestrianism.
He hiked up her stirrup and straightened her strap and taught her to ride side saddle with a crop in her lap.
Yes a lady's side saddle she quite well knew
And of her dress it was finest taffeta blue.
Soon they were riding together on the lawn
Around the plantation and down by the ponds
But each night she would return to her silken sheets
And Claude the dumb horse boy would be in the hay mow where the horses stand and sleep.
Then one day Claude the dumb horse boy did decide to go up to the mansion and asked her to be his bride.
By that time both the master and the mistress had died
And when she had no one to rule beside
At the last possible moment she conceded and became his wife.
Claude ruled that plantation with a firm and steady hand
And his meekness was known throughout the land.
Twenty years went by and Claude laid on his bed ready to die.
He began to contemplate all he had done,
And to his wife he gave a beautiful son.
Just when they feared the worse,
The maid was brougth in when she durst.
Said she, "I've kept this secret since the beginning of your life,
But the woman you married is both your sister and your wife."