The Dragon's Scale

(Please excuse the minimal punctuation)

In the hours of loneliest night
I set down theses words by the lamp's light
For I wish to record a most wonderful tale
Of a prince and a princess and the dragon's scale

It all began on a cold winter's night
When a little village awoke in fright
At the horrible sound of some beast's roar
Then all fell silent and they slept once more

It wasn't till dawn when they found the horse
Half eaten up, that they knew the source
The manner of beast which in the night did wail
For lying on the ground was a dragon's scale

It was large as a cartwheel and made of gold
And when it was lifted took three men to hold
Laughter broke out and they all capered around
But amidst the excitement an old man frowned

Stop this foolishness the man cried to the crowd
Waiting for silence before speaking out loud
'Tis an evil gift evil indeed
For dragon's gold fills a heart with greed

You all know the legends and what they tell
Look not at the gold or deeper the spell
We must take it away before we are lost
And only evil into our heart's has crossed

I fear not this spell spoke a stranger from the side
I fear nothing at all 'cept my soon-to-be bride
And if you allow me I would buy your scale
For it pleases me with it's yellow so pale

The crowd turned as the stranger's voice spoke
And saw a young man in a threadbare cloak
Who are you asked the old man. His eyes ablaze
That treads forward a fool where a wise man stays

Who am I you ask in a voice that demands
Why I'm Prince Kiranon from far distant lands
Searching the world for the one I'll marry
Going on where a wise man would tarry

Then Kiranon removed his threadbare cloak
Causing the old man to near have a stroke
For revealed to all was armour and sword
Of such quality befitting a lord

As all of you can plainly now see
There is more that what you thought of me
So why don't you take the old man's advice
Get rid of it now for a handsome price