so goes the story of the thane who went home

who left his honor and his lord all alone

and forwent death for shame, that damned coward.

​

in the cold of dawn he marched after his lord

to behold the dragon, flaming over its hoard:

so began the story of the thane who went home.

​

though with failing sword in that fateful cave,

his lord charged in a fury, daring and brave,

and the thane let him struggle, that damned coward.

​

as the beast seethed and spewed out its molten gold

the thane remembered that he had a dame to hold

not glory nor riches, he would rather have home.

​

his silhouette rose from behind the hill

see him approach unscathed from her windowsill

she would need him alive, that poor coward.

​

the sun had not yet lighted her sleeping face

the thane kissed her cheek and lay back in his place

so goes the story of the thane who went home

who went home to his wife: that was a good coward.

​