Saint George and the Dragon

"Saint George, mine errand thou shalt ride,
"My true and loyal knight,
"At Tahiam, that mighty town,
"Against the Dragon fight.

Outside the gate there lies a pool,
"And well 'tis wall'd with stone;
"Therein a lothely dragon dwells,
"The bane of all the town.

"Each day some wretch doth he devour,
"Or puffs his poisonous breath,
"And who inhales its baleful stench,
"Is doom'd to a speedy death."

The King and Emperor counsel took,
The rich and eke the poor.
Who to the Dragon next must go.
And whom he should devour.

The lots were cast, and doom'd to death
The Princess too must go;
And much the king her fate bewail'd.
And wrung his hands for woe.

"Rise then, my daughter, dress thyself
"All in thy best array:
"I thought to see thee a Prince's bride,
"And not a Dragon's prey."

Up rose the maiden, dress'd herself
In richest robe of state,
Took in her arms a little lamb,
And left the castle gate.

As tearful out of town she went,
And much and deeply sigh'd,
No child was there in all the place,
But for the maiden cried.

She stood before the mountain cave,
And peered around so wide;
And there the knight Saint George she saw
In gallop towards her ride.

His horse was white, his banner red,
By that the knight was known;
"Speak, noble maiden, speak, and say,
"Why here you stand alone?

"And tell me, noble maiden, why
"You drop the frequent tear;
"If robb'd you've been, or foully used,
"Your grief I fain would hear."

"I weep that to a lothely worm
"My parents me must give;
"Ride, gallant youth, ride hence away,
"If longer you would live."

"Fly will not I, nor leave your side
"In this your hour of grief;
"I've to the holy Virgin vow'd
"To haste to your relief."

While there they stood in sweet discourse
That gentle saintly pair,
Out flew the Dragon against the knight
Forth from his mountain lair.

Into his gorge the lance he drove,
And splintered it in three,
But, swift as any hird could fly,
Unsheathe his sword did he.

As swift as any hird could fly,
He drew and dealt his blows;
"I charge thee by the Holy Ghost
"Thy fetid maw to close.

"Come now, fair maiden, loose your belt,
"And bind his head withal,
"And let your friends and townsmen see
"The monster led in thrall."

In to the city then they went,
That saintly pair so brave;
"King, take on the Christian faith,
"Your realm from peril save/'

"Thy faith we take, myself and realm
"Of all and each degree:
"My daughter, her to thee I give,
"Thine equal she will be."

"Nay, though she be of equal rank,
"My troth I dare not plight,
"I've to the Virgin made a vow
"To live her loyal knight."