Canto XXV

The Fay's first door was guarded by the strength
Of three wild beasts, with claws of half yard length.
With some exertion, true, but John soon had
The three great beasts before him lying dead.

"For one day's work this is enough," John thought.
Sat down upon a bench and some rest sought.
"To night I take the rest I feel I need,
To morrow to the next door I proceed."

He did as he had thought that he would do.
Next day 'he to the next door nearer drew.
The work which here awaited him 's more hard:
Three fullgrown, fierce lions made here the guard.

He rolled his sleeve up, drew his good old steel,
And soon he made the three wild lions feel
His wondrous strength; the fight was fierce,

when o'er,
The three wild beasts lay dead before that door.

His conquest thrilled with eagerness his breast.
Unlike of yesterday, he sought no rest,
But wiping off the sweat which from him pours
He steps up to the third one of the doors.

Oh Lord! Forsake me not! The guard to fight
— It makes one's blood congeal, the awful sight; —
Here, is a dragon-serpent with a jaw
So big, that six live oxen it could gnaw.
John was not only brave, but we shall find,
That he had brains, had a resourceful mind.
He saw, his sword is here of no avail,
"He sought a mode the monster to assail.

The monster opened its jaw to pounce upon,
To tear to pieces and to swallow John.
What did he do? He's bound that beast to kill.
Into its throat he jumpeth with a will.

When once within the beast, he drew his knife,
And stabs the monster's heart, that kills its life.
The beast howls out a groan, a moaning breath —
And then lies still when overcome by death.

It took our John additional hard work
To bore a hole through from within. His dirk
Was strong and sharp, he crawleth out soon and
Lo and behold! He enters Fairyland!