The Poems of Arthur Conan Doyle

By Arthur Conan Doyle

This vintage book contains an expansive collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's powerful and beautiful poetry. Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930) was a seminal Scottish writer and physician, most remembered for his fictional tales about the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. His books are widely hailed as milestones in the genre of crime fiction. This wonderful collection of poesy would make for a worthy addition to any collection, and will be of special interest to fans and collectors of Doyle's work. The poems contained herein include: 'The Song of the Bow', 'Cremona', 'The Storming Party', 'The Frontier Line', 'Corporal Dick's Promotions', 'A Forgotten Tale', 'Fennarby Mine', 'A Rover Chanty', 'A Ballad of the Ranks', 'A Lay of the Links', 'The Dying Whip', 'Master', and many more. This compendium was first published in 1922, and is being republished now in an affordable, high-quality, modern edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Apr 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781473393370

Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) practiced medicine in the resort town of Southsea, England, and wrote stories while waiting for his patients to arrive. In 1886, he created two of the greatest fictional characters of all time: the detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner, Dr. Watson. Over the course of four novels and fifty-six short stories, Conan Doyle set a standard for crime fiction that has yet to be surpassed.

Book preview

Songs of Action

The Song of the Bow

WHAT of the bow?

The bow was made in England:

Of true wood, of yew-wood,

The wood of English bows;

So men who are free

Love the old yew-tree

And the land where the yew-tree grows.

What of the cord?

The cord was made in England:

A rough cord, a tough cord,

A cord that bowmen love;

And so we will sing

Of the hempen string

And the land where the cord was wove.

What of the shaft?

The shaft was cut in England:

A long shaft, a strong shaft,

Barbed and trim and true;

So we’ll drink all together

To the grey goose-feather

And the land where the grey goose flew.

What of the mark?

Ah, seek it not in England,

A bold mark, our old mark

Is waiting over-sea.

When the strings harp in chorus,

And the lion flag is o’er us,

It is there that our mark will be.

What of the men?

The men were bred in England:

The bowmen—the yeomen,

The lads of dale and fell.

Here’s to you—and to you!

To the hearts that are true

And the land where the true hearts dwell.

Cremona

[The French Army, including a part of the Irish Brigade, under Marshal Villeroy, held the fortified town of Cremona during the winter of 1702. Prince Eugène, with the Imperial Army, surprised it one morning, and, owing to the treachery of a priest, occupied the whole city before the alarm was given. Villeroy was captured, together with many of the French garrison. The Irish, however, consisting of the regiments of Dillon and of Burke, held a fort commanding the river gate, and defended themselves all day, in spite of Prince Eugène’s efforts to win them over to his cause. Eventually Eugène, being unable to take the post, was compelled to withdraw from the city.]

THE Grenadiers of Austria are proper men and tall;

The Grenadiers of Austria have scaled the city wall;

They have marched from far away

Ere the dawning of the day,

And the morning saw them masters of Cremona.

There’s not a man to whisper, there’s not a horse to neigh,

Of the footmen of Lorraine and the riders of Duprés;

They have crept up every street,

In the market-place they meet,

They are holding every vantage in Cremona.

The Marshal Villeroy he has started from his bed;

The Marshal Villeroy has no wig upon his head;

I have lost my men! quoth he,

"And my men they have lost me,

And I sorely fear we both have lost Cremona."

Prince Eugène of Austria is in the market-place;

Prince Eugène of Austria has smiles upon his face;

Says he, "Our work is done,

For the Citadel is won,

And the black and yellow flag flies o’er Cremona."

Major Dan O’Mahony is in the barrack square,

And just six hundred Irish lads are waiting for him there

Says he, "Come in your shirt,

And you won’t take any hurt,

For the morning air is pleasant in Cremona."

Major Dan O’Mahony is at the barrack gate,

And just six hundred Irish lads will neither stay nor wait

There’s Dillon and there’s Burke,

And there’ll be some bloody work

Ere the Kaiserlics shall boast they hold Cremona.

Major Dan O’Mahony has reached the river fort,

And just six hundred Irish lads are joining in the sport

Come, take a hand! says he,

"And if you will stand by me,

Then it’s glory to the man who takes Cremona!"

Prince Eugène of Austria has frowns upon his face,

And loud he calls his Galloper of Irish blood and race:

"MacDonnell, ride, I pray,

To your countrymen, and say

That only they are left in all Cremona!"

MacDonnell he has reined his mare beside the river dyke,

And he has tied the parley flag upon a sergeant’s pike;

Six companies were there

From Limerick and Clare,

The last of all the guardians of Cremona.

"Now, Major Dan O’Mahony, give up the river gate,

Or, Major Dan O’Mahony, you’ll find it is too late;

For when I gallop back

’Tis the signal for attack,

And no quarter for the Irish in Cremona!"

And Major Dan he laughed: "Faith, if what you say be true,

And if they will not come until they hear again from you,

Then there will be no attack,

For you’re never going back,

And we’ll keep you snug and safely in Cremona."

All the weary day the German stormers came,

All the weary day they were faced by fire and flame,

They have filled the ditch with dead,

And the river’s running red;

But they cannot win the gateway of Cremona.

All the weary day, again, again, again,

The horsemen of Duprés and the footmen of Lorraine,

Taafe and Herberstein,

And the riders of the Rhine;

It’s a mighty price they’re paying for Cremona.

Time and time they came with the deep-mouthed German roar,

Time and time they broke like the wave upon the shore;

For better men were there

From Limerick and Clare,

And who will take the gateway of Cremona?

Prince Eugène has watched, and he gnaws his nether lip;

Prince Eugène has cursed as he saw his chances slip:

Call off! Call off! he cried,

"It is nearing eventide,

And I fear our work is finished in Cremona."

Says Wauchop to McAulliffe, Their fire is growing slack.

Says Major Dan O’Mahony, "It is their last attack;

But who will stop the game

While there’s light to play the same,

And to walk a short way with them from Cremona?"

And so they snarl behind them, and beg them turn and come,

They have taken Neuberg’s standard, they have taken Diak’s drum;

And along the winding Po,

Beard on shoulder, stern and slow

The Kaiserlics are riding from Cremona.

Just two hundred Irish lads are shouting on the wall;

Four hundred more are lying who can hear no slogan call;

But what’s the odds of that,

For it’s all the same to Pat

If he pays his debt in Dublin or Cremona.

Says General de Vaudray, "You’ve done a soldier’s work!

And every tongue in France shall talk of Dillon and of Burke!

Ask what you will this day,

And be it what it may,

It is granted to the heroes of Cremona."

Why, then, says Dan O’Mahony, "one favour we entreat,

We were called a little early, and our toilet’s not complete;

We’ve no quarrel with the shirt,

But the breeches wouldn’t hurt,

For the evening air is chilly in Cremona."

The Storming Party

SAID Paul Leroy to Barrow,

"Though the breach is steep and narrow,

If we only gain the summit

Then it’s odds we hold the fort.

I have ten and you have twenty,

And the thirty should be plenty,

With Henderson and Henty

And McDermott in support."

Said Barrow to Leroy,

"It’s a solid job, my boy,

For they’ve flanked it, and they’ve banked it,

And they’ve bored it with a mine.

But it’s only fifty paces

Ere we look them in the faces;

And the men are in their places,

With their toes upon the line."

Said Paul Leroy to Barrow,

"See that first ray, like an arrow,

How it tinges all the fringes

Of the sullen drifting skies.

They told me to begin it

At five-thirty to the minute,

And at thirty-one I’m in it,

Or my sub will get his rise.

"So we’ll wait the signal rocket,

Till . . . Barrow, show that locket,

That turquoise-studded locket,

Which you slipped from out your pocket

And are pressing with a kiss!

Turquoise-studded, spiral-twisted,

It is hers! And I had missed it

From her chain; and you have kissed it:

Barrow, villain, what is this?"

"Leroy, I had a warning,

That my time has come this morning,

So I speak with frankness, scorning

To deny the thing that’s true.

Yes, it’s Amy’s, is the trinket,

Little turquoise-studded trinket,

Not her gift—oh, never think it!

For her thoughts were all for you.

"As we danced I gently drew it

From her chain—she never knew it,

But I love her—yes, I love her:

I am candid, I confess.

But I never told her, never,

For I knew ’twas vain endeavour,

And she loved you—loved you ever,

Would to God she loved you less!"

"Barrow, Barrow, you shall pay me!

Me, your comrade, to betray me!

Well I know that little Amy

Is as true as wife can be.

She to give this love-badged locket!

She had rather . . . Ha, the rocket!

Hi, McDougall! Sound the bugle!

Yorkshires, Yorkshires, follow me!"

Said Paul Leroy to Amy,

"Well, wifie, you may blame me,

For my passion overcame me,

When he told me of his shame;

But when I saw him lying,

Dead amid a ring of dying,

Why, poor devil, I was trying

To forget, and not to blame.

"And this locket, I unclasped it

From the fingers that still grasped it;

He told me how he got it,

How he stole it in a valse."

And she listened leaden-hearted:

Oh, the weary day they parted!

For she loved him—yes, she loved him—

For his youth and for his truth,

And for those dying words, so false.

The Frontier Line

WHAT marks the frontier line?

Thou man of India, say!

Is it the Himalayas sheer,

The rocks and valleys of Cashmere,

Or Indus as she seeks the south

From Attoch to the fivefold mouth?

Not that! Not that!

Then answer me, I pray!

What marks the frontier line?

What marks the frontier line?

Thou man of Burmah, speak!

Is it traced from Mandalay,

And down the marches of Cathay,

From Bhamo south to Kiang-mai,

And where the buried rubies lie?

Not that! Not that!

Then tell me what I seek:

What marks the frontier line?

What marks the frontier line?

Thou Africander, say!

Is it shown by Zulu kraal,

By Drakensberg or

Reviews for The Poems of Arthur Conan Doyle

[therebelprince · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very, very enjoyable read: definitely the pinnacle (thus far) of the Holmes canon.

Every element fits into its proper place: the isolated location is well described, with many fascinating features such as the Neolithic huts, fatal bogs and rows of yews. Each character is well-drawn, and each has their own mystery which interlocks perfectly with the overarching puzzle. By utilising different aspects of Watson's narrative voice - his diary, his letters, his reminiscences - Conan Doyle is able to shake up his writing formula somewhat, and present us with a mystery in which both Watson and Holmes are used to their respective strengths.

Beyond this, the mystery is multi-faceted and - particularly noteworthy - the novel is about every aspect of the crime, not just the "whodunnit" or how. As a result, even though the revelations are really no more than typical Conan Doyle fare, they are in no way a letdown, because it is only part of a larger canvas.

Seasoned crime readers like myself will probably pick up on the big clue planted very early in the book but, even then, it by no means allows you to solve the crime. The only aspect which might be seen by some as negative is that the book is always happy to pause and consider any minute clue (half a chapter is spent on exactly which newspaper a ransom-style note was cut from). To me, though, this is quintessential Holmes. The traces of romantic characterisation and storytelling linger, but are kept in check by the power of the work overall. As a result, I'm soldiering on with renewed vigour to the sixth of the nine Holmes books.

[varwenea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” – Sherlock HolmesAfter having watched the movies and TV shows, I finally read my first Sherlock Holmes book. From various reviews and from the Foreword, I thought I had chosen one of the best, if not the best, Holmes book. Unfortunately, it felt --- ‘passive’. I’ll explain.The story surrounds a ghostly hound that haunts the Baskervilles family from several generations ago. After the untimely and unexplained death of Sir Charles Baskerville, the last Baskerville heir, Sir Henry, and his family friend, Dr. Mortimer, seek the help of the famous Sherlock Holmes to determine once and for all, the truth between the mystery hound and the legend that curses the Baskerville family members and estate. With a butler and wife at the estate, a number of inquisitive neighbors, an escaped convict, and the shadowy, foggy grounds of Grimpen Mire with moor and bog-hole that is the grassland version of quicksand, a delectable setting is laid for the whodunnit and how.Perhaps movies and televisions have ruined my perspective; I had expected to journey with Holmes and Watson in their fact-finding. Since Holmes is tied-up with his current cases, Watson accompanies Sir Henry to his newly inherited estate ahead of Holmes. The facts are then revealed via Watson’s reports and excerpts from his diary; this approach and associated writing-style yields a past-tense feeling and the reader is not on the same journey with them. When Holmes ‘arrives’ (I’ll let you interpret the reason for the air-quote marks), the action begins, but the culprit is already identified. Even the ta-da moment is rather flat, and a last chapter is written as a retrospection. I didn’t even have a chance to get excited. Having guessed a couple of things didn’t help either. The book simply didn’t generate the excitement I had wanted. I feel like such a traitor to literature for saying such blasphemy against the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Well, if it’ll make you feel better, when I was little, I thought these stories were based on a real detective. Anyway, it’s still a pretty good read, especially since its first release was 1901. I also valued the book having reinforced the Holmes’ and Watson’s behaviors and methods commonly depicted on the screen. One quote:On the love between siblings:“…But first I had the unpleasant duty of breaking the news to Barrymore and his wife. To him it may have been an unmitigated relief, but she wept bitterly in her apron. To all the world he was the man of violence, half animal and half demon; but to her he always remained the little willful boy of her own girlhood, the child who had clung to her hand. Evil indeed is the man who has not one woman to mourn him.”

[lgandt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Actually now having "read" it, after having seen so many film versions. I had little trouble "seeing" it all happen.

[msaucier818 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have really enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes stories and was excited for this one as it is often promoted as the best. While I did like this story, I did not think it was one of the best. The mystery was not all that challenging, and I felt that the story dragged a bit in places. I enjoyed the characters and the setting, but not my favorite.

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Though the incredible cruelty to a dog gets totally ignored in this frightening tale,we get most of the clues and so can make more predictions than in previous short novels.The mystery is a complicated one, not the least of it is why Dr. Watson did not follow Sherlock'sexplicit instructions to never leave the baron alone. One other remaining mystery - since neither he, nor his body, were ever found, where is the final proof that the murderer is dead?

[robert.zimmermann · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an interesting way to read this iconic Sherlock Holmes case. The illustrations worked well to bring the narrative to life, especially with the nature of abridgement making it difficult to get details into a story. A little more attention to word bubble (is that the technical term for them?) placement would have improved the reading experience a little bit, especially for younger readers. A few panels had a third, "off-screen" character talking, but the placement made it seem like one character had two spots of text when it wasn't the case.

The abridgement itself would likely be effective for a young reader to read and enjoy this Holmes story. For an adult I felt it was a little too abridged in places; a little rushed. Overall it was an entertaining, refreshing look at Doyle's work.

[jameshold-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The real hero of these stories is Watson for having the restraint not to have strangled that insufferable egomaniac Holmes whenever he had a chance. Holmes is brilliant...and never misses an opportunity to let you know it.

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For a large section of this book Sherlock does not appear. You hear Dr. Watson's point of view. It is only later you learn what he has been doing off screen. It was a really enjoyable mystery.

[hermit_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sherlock Holmes and the ever present Dr. Watson are brought in to investigate the untimely death of Sir Charles Baskerville where his body was found on the Devon moorland with the footprints of a giant hound nearby and a look of horror frozen on his face. The presumed blame for his death is placed on a family curse by the new baronet. This Gothic mystery novel of a murder will take all of Holmes brain power to solve. He must work within the framework of the family's dark legend of the moors and their fears that this legend will continue. These courageous sleuths have all their skills tested as they try to discover the truth. And we follow them as the plot takes us on a dark mysterious ride with surprising twist.

[carolfoisset · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Doyle's descriptions of both characters and setting are top notch. I always enjoy "deducing" along with Sherlock and Watson. The mystery in this book was just so-so.

[karin7-11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Holmes and Watson are engaged on a case to both find out how someone died and to save his heir from the same fate. Legend has it that there is a giant demon hound with glowing eyes and mouth who prowls about the moors, and giant dog footprints are found near the body of the victim. Naturally, Holmes doesn't believe it's something supernatural, and so he sends Watson off to investigate & report back to him.

This is my first, and most likely last, Conrad Doyle novel. I almost liked it. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about over this writer or his Sherlock Holmes character. It was not the best 19th century mystery novel I've read, and I wasn't particularly impressed with Holmes. The writing is so-so, and so I'm really rating this 2.5, but have rounded it up.

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this as a youngster, and I'm so glad I read it again! Good thriller, tightly paced, with enough twists and turns to keep my interest! Bravo Holmes!

[rubyscarlett-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've tried numerous times to start Sherlock Holmes at the beginning, i.e. a Study in Scarlet. This was a mistake. I'm so glad I decided to give Doyle another chance with another book picked at random - The Hound of the Baskervilles is a great read with fully fleshed characters. I was recently blown away by a pastiche (Dust and Shadow by Lyndsay Faye) and it was awesome to see where the clear style came from. I like Holmes' method for solving cases, though I think a psychological approach (think Poirot) brings better results. Loved Watson in this and though the end is quite abrupt, I was satisfied with the solution. Will definitely read more books.

[swampygirl-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Having read a couple examples of both, I think I generally prefer Doyle's books over his short stories, mostly because in the books there is more showing, rather then just having clients and Sherlock telling the reader everything, over and over again.

[teamdewey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The stories of Sherlock Holmes are always a interesting read--even more so now because of the popularity or recent movies and TV shows. The Hounds of the Baskervilles is one of the most loved stories in the Sherlock Holmes series and I can see why!

[ursula_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Probably the most-referred-to case Sherlock Holmes ever solved, I only went into it knowing it had something to do with a supernatural dog. I feel like I must have read this when I was younger, if only in a simplified version, but I didn't remember anything more about it. Watson comes to the forefront in this one for quite a while, which makes it interesting. The twists and turns are enjoyable, even if I found none of the players in the case particularly endearing. Recommended for: everyone.Quote: "I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your conclusions were erroneous. When I said that you stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in noting your fallacies I was occasionally guided towards the truth."

[jsamaha-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure what took me so long to read this book. I've always loved Sherlock Holmes since I first saw Basil Rathbone's version on t.v. as a child. This was a lovely mystery. Although, I knew the basis of the story (from what I could remember seeing as a child and also from the Moffit/Gatiss modern version of the tale), I still found myself surprised in a few areas. I even found myself jumping at one point when my telephone rang while I was reading a particularly dark description of the moors at night.

I do love Sherlock Holmes and think everyone should read at least some of Doyle's masterpiece series at least once in their lifetime. As I've told my son (who is currently reading A Study in Scarlet), you might just be surprised with how readable and enjoyable, Doyle's work is.

[lukerik-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having read the earlier novels I was under the impression that Sherlock Holmes only really worked in short stories. Now I have read this I see I was wrong and would like to apologise unreservedly to Mr Doyle through the medium of Librarything... or just through the medium (ha ha)! This is just as good as many of the stories but there's more of it.

[bearlyr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Being a Sherlock Holmes fan, picking a favorite is difficult... but pressed to do so this would have to be the winner! It has everything, mystery, horror, it's creepy, Dr. Watson get to shine a bit, and the interactions between Holmes and Watson are exemplary. There is also no shortage of the incorrigible behavior Sherlock is so well known for. If you haven't perused this book yet, get a copy and read a great story!

[dverdecia-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a classic. When you look at all the other reviews of it out there I wonder, what can I add? I think that out of all of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries this would have to be the best one. At least, in my eyes the most popular. I highly recommend this book.

[daniellnic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Absorbing read but I don't think Doyle really meant for you to figure things out beforehand.

[murderbydeath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic and might possibly be the best of the Holmes stories. Perfectly crafted, and perfectly atmospheric, this is the kind of story that can be read again and again. In fact, this is at least my third read and on this go-around I was much more able to admire the subtle clues and hints Conan Doyle wove through the tale. Although I do have one question: Dr. Mortimer's wife is mentioned several times in the story and I have to wonder how she felt about him traipsing off around the world without her? If you like gothic, or mysteries, or just a good atmospheric thriller, you can't go wrong with this one.

[greymowser · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An excellant Sherlock Holmes quest.

[soulflower1981 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When you recognize that you love a good mystery book it is hard to say that you hate the king of the mystery/detective story, so I won't because this was legitimately an excellent book. It held my interest from the first few pages until the very end, which is rare for a book to do for me. In most instances I find myself not wanting to come back for at least a day and then pushing myself to read the rest of a book, but this one I read every single day since I started it for at least an hour a day.

Doyle came back to Holmes for this great story that infused supernatural and reality together nicely. He made you believe that it was possible the supernatural was occurring, but then revealed all when appropriate. I enjoy a writer that can turn the plot around quickly to reveal the truth of what is happening to characters.

The characters are believable for the time period. The motives are sound and reasonable as well. Some mysteries I have felt that the author is grasping at straws, but here everything adds nicely. It may just be that Doyle has had enough experience filling in every plot hole imaginable that one doesn't feel that he is lacking. He even goes as far to explain how an animal was fed while its master was away. These things showcase a brilliant writer who thinks about the aspects that a reader may notice or question.

This story made me desire to devour more Doyle in the future. I believe that reading some more Sherlock Holmes stories may be in my near future!

[stuckey_bowl · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

really like every single sherlock holmes story except for this one

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A demonic hound is terrorizing the Baskerville family.I have to admit that the first thing I thought upon finishing this book was: "I would have gotten away with it first if it hadn't been for that meddling detective!" To be fair, Conan Doyle long preceded Scooby-Doo, and the writing is much better. But in terms of plot, they certainly could be kissing cousins.I remember reading a lot of Sherlock Holmes as a kid, although I don't remember which stories I read, or if this famous novel was among them. I have the Puffin Classics edition, and I think this novel, and Sherlock Holmes in general, holds up well for young readers. Conan Doyle's writing is clean, straightforward, and evocative. I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of the moors in this book--they came across as both beautiful and menacing. I was glad to revisit Sherlock Holmes. After seeing so many televised and film adaptations, we can lose sight of the original work and forget that it's also worth reading in its own right.This story was inspired by the legend of ghostly black dogs in Dartmoor. Its appearance was regarded as a portent of death.Revisiting children's classics (2014). I also read this as part of the MysteryCAT challenge for March 2014: children's mysteries.

[laphenix · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Slow and monotonous, and the world flip toward the end was jarring at best.

[carmenmilligan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was good, but not great. One of the most popular and enduring detective series ever written? Well, I would rather read an Agatha Christie, I think. I still think about Ten Little Indians...

Don't get me wrong, I liked the book and enjoyed reading it, but it doesn't make me want to run out and get another Sherlock Holmes book. However, nor will it keep me from reading another one, should it be recommended.

As for recommending this one, I would say that yes, you should read it. If for nothing else than it is of some repute and should be added to your read list based solely on that merit.

[thebookmagpie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There is nothing that needs said about this that has not already been said.

Although sometimes I wish that Holmes would be a TOUCH nicer to Watson?

[empressreece · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Im fan of everything Sherlock Holmes by Doyle & Laurie King. I wish Dolye was here to continue the stories because no one but Laurie King compares.