Whereby they were full sore opprest: Who by his poisonous breath each day, Did many of the city slay.

Then came the officers to the king
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.

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, 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 fair,

For us thy daughter so sould die. 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,
But let me be the dragon's prey;