This thing by art the wise men found, Which truly must observed be; Wherefore, throughout the city round, 45 A virgin pure of good degree Was, by the king's commission, still Taken up to serve the dragon's will.
Thus did the dragon every day Untimely crop some virgin flowr, 50 Till all the maids were worn away, And none were left him to devour; Saving the king's fair daughter bright, Her father's only heart's delight.
Then came the officers to the king, 55 That heavy message to declare, Which did his heart with sorrow sting; "She is," quoth he, "my kingdom's heir: O let us all be poisoned here, Ere she should die, that is my dear." 60
Then rose the people presently, And to the king in rage they went; They said his daughter dear should dye, The dragon's fury to prevent: "Our daughters all are dead," quoth they, 65 "And have been made the dragon's prey;
"And by their blood we rescued were, And thou hast sav'd thy life thereby; And now in sooth it is but faire, For us thy daughter so should die." 70 "O save my daughter," said the king, "And let ME feel the dragon's sting."
Then fell fair Sabra on her knee, And to her father dear did say, "O father, strive not thus for me, 75 But let me be the dragon's prey; It may be, for my sake alone This plague upon the land was thrown.
"'Tis better I should dye," she said, "Than all your subjects perish quite; 80 Perhaps the dragon here was laid, For my offence to work his spite, And after he hath suckt my gore, Your land shall feel the grief no more."
"What hast thou done, my daughter dear, 85 For to deserve this heavy scourge? It is my fault, as may appear, Which makes the gods our state to purge; Then ought I die, to stint the strife, And to preserve thy happy life." 90
Like mad-men, all the people cried, "Thy death to us can do no good; Our safely only doth abide In making her the dragon's food." "Lo! here I am, I come," quoth she, 95 "Therefore do what you will with me."
"Nay stay, dear daughter," quoth the queen, "And as thou art a virgin bright, That hast for vertue famous been, So let me cloath thee all in white; 100 And crown thy head with flowers sweet, An ornament for virgins meet."
And when she was attired so, According to her mother's mind, Unto the stake then did she go, 105 To which her tender limbs they bind; And being bound to stake a thrall, She bade farewell unto them all.