And elder crone now rises quick
To help the hero upward sit.
"What creature lays in putrid swamp
And dreadful waters depths does haunt?
I slew it well and quick with rod
And eerie might of demi-god.
Yet still it vexes natures world
At bed of lake it's fastly curled.
And waiting upon men to cross
To burst from lake through slimy dross.
With mighty fangs to grab its prey
And drag to depths where serpents lay."
And elder answers question fast
"The beast by ancient magic cast
May grow it's heads though severed clean
And rise with twice the crop you gleaned
It's poison potent full of death
That leaves what touches fangs bereft.
Did enter veins of hero arms
To cause the godling greatest harm.
But servant saw the hero's plight
And took his body far from sight.
Of beast in swamp who sought it's meal
To feast on flesh of hero killed.
And brought to shack with rotting boards
That's guard by many magic wards.
So beast can't cross to elders home
And slay your serf the meager crone.
Here servant healed the demi-god
With potions found where men don't trod.
Alone this crone that poison cures
That venom vile and most impure."
And hero ponders problem deep
To slay the beast inside its keep.
Then elder seeing hero's thoughts
To side of hero jar now brought.
Along with rusted sword its laid
On bed with chipped and dented blade.
"The fire of Greeks this ointment makes
In deepest waters flames will bake.
The flesh of beast that creature dire
In swampy lair will face this fire.
Its flesh the flame will cauter seal
And quickly death to beast will deal.
By stoping heads from growing fast
By searing creatures flesh with blast.
So coat this sword with magic balm
And slay the beast with heart that's calm."
And hero harkens to spinsters word
And takes her beat and battered sword.