Cetus Challenged

The princess to the craggy rocks is chained,
A sacrifice for Cetus’ jaws to take.
But hark, cuts though the clouds a golden ray:
A wingèd knight, adorned in fine array,
His armour glistening ‘gainst a sky of grey.
He lands, and with his sword the chains he breaks,
The princess now assured that she is safe.
A shadow moves beneath the violet waves,
And Cetus now his dread appearance makes:
Its eyes glow red like coals upon a slate.
The knight is spurred with anger and with hate
That this foul form the earth should desecrate.
A battle most spectacular is waged,
The vassal armed with shield and iron blade,
The serpent tapered teeth and tempered scales.
And all throughout, nor each begins to wane,
In stamina so equal matched are they.
The writhing wyrm the land doth cause to quake,
And each seen stone and rock reverberate.
Lo! From the knight a mighty blow is placed:
Through Cetus’ eye his sword doth penetrate.
From out that spot the blood begins to drain
And runneth from the other side the brains.
At last, the loathèd serpent’s surely slain!
Fair princess for his bride the knight hath ta’en;
We leave them now, their happy ending gained.