Poetry

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Ballad

Far depths beneath the earth and sky

In caverns dark and deep

Lay fair Calysta bound in chains

Within the dragon’s keep.

Kybald the dragon kept his watch

As nights and days drew past,

And fair Calysta prayed that soon

Her love would come at last.

Sir Randall dwelt in distant lands,

His journey long and hard;

But day by day he nearer drew

To slay the dragon guard.

Calysta wept by night and day

Her fetters flowed with tears.

They rusted ‘til they fell apart;

Still her love did not appear.

So fair Calysta, giving up

Her hopes of chivalry,

Slipped cautiously between the legs

Of Kybald fast asleep.

But ere she reached the cavern’s mouth

She felt the piercing eye

Of Kybald watching every step;

Calysta heaved a sigh.

“So Randall does not love you?” asked

The dragon of the maid.

“I fear he does not,” she replied;

“He came not to my aid.”

“But you:  you have not eaten me,”

Calysta said in scorn.

“Perhaps you’re no more brave than he

Or any man ‘twas born!”

Then Kybald huffed a gruff reply

But had no time for more,

For Randall burst in, grabbed the maid,

And bolted for the door.

Not many days since their escape,

Calysta heard a sound.

She watched as Kybald neared their house;

Sir Randall turned around.

Sir Randall scarce had drawn his sword

When Kybald smote him down;

Then Kybald at Calysta’s feet

Knelt there and kissed her gown.

Calysta took his scaly paw

Into her milk-white hand

And promised everlasting love

And all of Randall’s land.

So Kybald and Calysta went

To live as fate had planned,

And both along the dusky shore

Went walking hand in hand.