Poem - "Hero"
Hero! We praise thy name, oh mighty one
By the end of this day, thy deed is done
The scroll of thy fabled legend unfurled
Plunging into the depths of Underworld
See the cavern, she gapes with a maw wide
Countless demons await thee deep inside
Dost thy pulse now quicken? Dost thou quiver?
Nay! For not a moment dost thou shiver!
Behold! Demon leaps out, fangs are now bared
But thou, hero, press on without a care
Look the demon in the eye! Unsheath thy blade!
Swing, slice, strike swift and true! Be not afraid!
Demon falters, staggers and falls to ground!
Yet still more now leap out from all around!
Fly, oh Hero! Grasping thy mighty blade
Pierce, cut, thrust clear and fair! Defeat these shades!
Through these halls of hell thou shalt march on
Wavering not, faltering not, 'til gone
Every last demon, even their king!
Mighty hero, of thy praises we sing!
Through the antechamber thou have now passed
And reached the wicked one's throne room at last
The king of all demons sits upon that throne
Stands to his feet, wings spread, now all alone
He lunges and he strikes! Hero falls back
Not yet deterred, he returns the attack
Clash! Blade and claw! Both mighty and both great!
Who shall win this final battle of fate?
At last! The blade soars forth, thus swinging true
Demon king slain, bleeding a stream of blue
The wicked one has been defeated
Hero! Now thy journey is completed
Returning from the depths of hell below,
Thy deeds will be spread far, and all shall know
Throughout the year, from spring to winter snow
Peace was returned by a mighty hero