# The Ghost of Godiva

A FANTASY OF COVENTRY

It silent was the city, in the long ago,
And shudder'd all the windows for a herald bade men know,
The Lady of Fair Mercia must pass along their way
Unclothed and all unseen to take their tax away.
Then loudly o'er the cobbles, echoed the horses feet,
As swiftly rode Godiva down the narrow street,
And many were the prayers rising o'er the city,
All thanking God in Heaven for her help and pity.

It crowded was the Broadgate on the pageant day;...
As kings and knights and princes rode in bright array,
There was Saunders and George Eliot, Avon's Bard came too
Where their spirits oft times lingered, in a town they knew.
Gay was the music stealing down the cheer filled street;
As Demons rode on bikes behind the Quakers neal,
Then came Godiva riding as on the long gone clay,
Through all the ages with them in sorrow or at play.

It broken lies the Broadgate, gone the laughter now,
Where once gay pageants passed, men walk with solemn brow.
And reedy burns their hometown, yet exes dimmed by trouble
See hope in the sky above, where smoke from burning rubble
Bossed by the wind, makes an outline clear;
A figure on horseback - Godiva still is near.
Just a tear and she's gone to God's throne in her pity,
So ask his help for her well loved Coventry City.