THE DRAGON’S LAIR

(in the mode of Beowulf)

               In the days of the Dragon’s reign
                          nothing but danger               
                awaited those unwary ones
                          who wandered to its lair               
                and spying its treasure hord
                          sparkling with gems and gold                
                lusted for luxury,
                          longed to possess               
                what men and not monsters
                          should admire and maintain.                
                Yet none proved so stealthy
                          that he might deceive              
                the vigilant fang-fighter
                          furious to ward              
                what once he had garnered
                          from the mead halls of Geats.               
                Death and dismemberment
                           swiftly descended               
                on reckless mauraders
                           who ransacked his cave:              
                Woe to the wayward,
                           waylaid by luxury               
                since the consequence of coveting
                          is of no small account.

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