The sharp steel of a lethal bladeThe cold iron of a helmet madeEfficiently the knight donned his armorTo kill the dragon, he rode forth on his charger
The kingdom cheered him on with gleeWith the dragon dead, they would be freeNo more cattle killed nor tilled field tornIf the knight would rid them of this thorn
The knight undertook his task with purposeTo dispatch the flying furnaceFor the maiden to which he was intendedOut in the meadow, the beast had apprehended
Smoke burned his lungs as he charged inSweat upon his brow; the cave hot like sinBut as he reached the darkest chamberThere sat his princess behind enormous danger
He dodged; He lunged; The fire hotGigantic beast could stop him naughtFor though teeth would snatch and claws would tearNothing would keep him from his conquest there
At last, sword flashing, it sliced through fleshThe dragon roared as its blood spilled freshAway it raced before the fatal blowTriumphant, the knight watched his retreating foe
He took the princess back as she trembledA mighty wedding for them had assembledBut when all was done and they had gone to bedThe air of chivalry the knight did shed
Each month that passed was a new bruise hidThe mockery, slander, the controlling bidsAnd when the princess thought it could be no worseShe found a baby would soon share her curse
Locked inside her room, she did lamentAnd thought, she did, of her time spentWith the dragon and his treasures of wonderHow safe had been that room of plunder
When next the knight came into her chamberWicked eyes showed he meant to claim herThe princess clenched her fist and steeled her courageAs she had finished the spell to end her marriage
Thunderous wings across the skyMagic brought the beast that had not diedFlames burnt field, claws tore brickUp the tower, the dragon raced quick
His enemy healed from nose to taleThe knight watched the beast, his face paleHe slapped his wife across the faceBefore off to his armor, he had to race
As the dragon climbed onto her sillThe princess ran to it with a thrillShe embraced it and climbed upon its backMuscle tense, it sprang up with wings of black
The knight would search for her, she knewBut she smelled the freedom as she flewDone were her unending days of terrorThe knight would nevermore raise a hand to her
Despite the darkness of the princess's pastHer destiny was hers alone at lastShe realized she had never needed to be savedFor she was her own hero, empowered and unrestrained
