Poem #40: Saint George

Saint George, the merry wandering Knight
once stopped off for a drink and bite

The Barman's eyes were filled with gloom,

as though he dreaded certain doom. 

Saint George said, "Sir, why so downcast,

now death is gone and shadows passed?

Our Lord has given us new Life;

be glad, my friend, and fear no strife!"

The Barman said to good Saint George, 

"A Dragon's come up from the gorge!

We cannot fight, we cannot run!

He eats our children, one by one!

Today, the Princess is his feast. 

We can't refuse the horrid beast;

each child must go in his turn,

unless we wish to die and burn!"

Saint George replied, "Take me to him!

He shall not eat up all your kin!

It's impolite and wicked, so

I'll tell the beast he has to go!"

The Barman brought him to the Lake

and there he saw, bound to a stake,
the Princess, fearful, faint, but fair
above the Dragon's watery lair. 

Said Saint George, "Come up, Dragon, you!

 So I may beat you black and blue!"

Then from the ripples, dark and green,

arose the Dragon, vile and keen

to smite whatever peasant dared

to wake him, and his nostrils flared!

Saint George he spotted down below,

and said "Well met, unworthy foe!"
The Saint replied, "Well met indeed!
I've come to stop this evil deed!"
And with that, swish! came down his blade,
he smote the Dragon with the aid
of Angels sent to guide his hand
and deal the Dragon reprimand.
And thus, it finally came to pass
that every princess, lad and lass
had ceased to be the Dragon's prey,
and so Saint George went on his way.