Twas the final hour, and the guardsman sighed
As the guardsman did gyre and pace in his tent
All restless were the fearful allies
And the commanders were planning way to death prevent
“Beware the Ebon Beast, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Daemonic Carrion bird, and shun
The infamous Lord Gaulentach!”
He took his holy sword in hand:
Long time did the fanatical foe he sought--
So rested he by the Commissar’s tree
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in prepared thought he stood,
The Ebon Beast, with eyes in flame,
Came marching through the darkened wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The holy blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back
“And, has thou slain the Ebon Beast?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O glorious day! Hurrah! Huzzah!”
He chortled in his joy.
Twas the final hour, and the guardsman sighed
As the guardsman did gyre and pace in his tent
All restless were the fearful allies
And the commanders were planning way to death prevent