A/N: as per chapter one. I have added notes on the specific poem structure at the end of each chapter if anyone is interested. There is already a Holmesian sestina posted on this site; by SimplyElymas-"Inside the Problem"-August 2006
Watson looks back at events in "a scandal in Bohemia".
Holmes and companions do not belong to me
Many thanks to medcat and sagredo:)
A variation on the sestina
POV of Watson
Scandal
He'd never kept a photograph he'd framed before;
It caught my eye again the other night.
It reminded me of that intriguing case once more;
The one which brought my comrade such delight.
A puzzle in a letter and a masked man at the door,
And a blurring of the path from wrong to right.
~o~
Our guest preferred I left, as though he had the right,
He wondered what my presence there was for.
Holmes perceived his wishes in a different light;
Declared that if I left, he'd talk no more.
His Majesty could see us both or say "Goodnight",
And take his royal presence to the door.
~o~
The stranger stared at Holmes and at the open door;
I knew then that my partner's words were right.
But what on earth could royalty need Holmes' help for?
The future king, unmasked, described his plight.
He spoke of marriage plans and long past paramour
And the blackmail threat which spoiled his sleep at night.
~o~
I left my friend to think about this case all night;
A way to get himself inside her door.
As soon as he was sure he had events planned right,
My role was set; it's what a partner's for.
A scuffle and an injured, kindly preacher's plight;
Some smoke, a call of "Fire!", then several more.
~o~
We headed home; quite certain we could do no more;
A passing figure wished my friend "Good Night";
Addressed him by his name as we approached our door,
And hurried on, determined and upright.
Miss Irene Adler knew what heart and brain were for,
And left: with one short letter, shedding light.
~o~
We read of her integrity and prudent flight:
She'd found a worthy subject for l'amour.
It was her who had accosted us so late last night;
She'd tracked the Great Detective to his door.
It soon became apparent that her cause was right
And who we should reserve our judgement for.
~o~
The photograph is precious for it shines a light
On the fascinating case we took that night.
Respect: who earned it more? The masked king at the door?
Or "the woman", so determined and upright?
~o~
End
a/n2: a traditional sestina (12th century) does not rhyme-but I found one example which did (by Algernon Charles Swinburne) so followed that structure. Should consist of six 6 line verses and one 3 line verse. Each 6 line verse has the same 6 end rhyme word/sounds in a different specific order and the last verse(which should be 3 lines long) uses all 6 end rhyme words, in those lines, again in a set order. I ended with 4 lines...poetic licence:)