Esmeralda’s shining

Eyes are growing dimmer

Djali counts with cloven hoof

As tambourine bangles glimmer

Wooden letters defying scarlet

Djali spells her doom

Phoebus never had intention

To be a public dancer’s groom

Witchcraft critics find her guilty

The murder of her love a frame

Rescued thence by Quasimodo

To the Sanctuary of Notre Dame

Failed encounter with undead Phoebus

Framer Frollo tries to have his way

Quasimodo Esmeralda’s guardian

Steps in again to save the day

Parisian Gypsies attempt their rescue

Cut to ribbons by King Louis’ men

Frollo’s deception successful capture

Esmeralda’s his again

Given the choice of him or gallows

Esmeralda chooses rope

He casts her to her mother’s arms

Surrendering his amorous hope

Quasimodo stares in disbelief

At Frollo’s demented ruse

No one could ever have imagined

She’d prefer the hangman’s noose

Copyright 2010 Patrick Granfors