50. The Dragon's Defeat

“Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by,

That here, obeying their commands we lie.” (Epitaph attributed to Simonides)

Leonidas,

The great warrior king

Came to his people’s rescue.

Having the cunning of Odysseus.

Having the courage of Theseus.

Bringing seven thousand men

To draw swords and protect the fatherland.

A secret guarded path

To the gates of Thermopylae

Revealed by a traitor

To the dragon’s “immortals”.

Ares’ men and allies fought bravely on that day.

Killing many immortal men

To protect Thermopylae.

While the fight was fierce,

Leonidas brave,

He didn’t last.

The dragon ate the city by the bay.

Then it was off to Athens

Where he let fire fall onto the goddess’s flowing gown.

Refugees in Salamis

Who saw their goddess in trouble

Sent ships to save her.

The dragon learned of his great mistake

Then quickly called for retreat.

Greece rejoiced

At their victory

But didn’t soon forget.

Another will come to slay that mighty beast.