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Because I'm mopey, I thought I'd cheer myself up by sharing a poem that's darkly amusing.

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BreweryYardRat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jan-18-09 02:21 AM
Original message
Because I'm mopey, I thought I'd cheer myself up by sharing a poem that's darkly amusing.
Edited on Sun Jan-18-09 02:23 AM by seawolf
This was written by the noted sci-fi/fantasy/nonfiction author L. Sprague de Camp. It's an nice little twist on the old 'be careful what you wish for; parable.

"REWARD OF VIRTUE"

Sir Gilbert de Vere was a virtuous knight;
He succored the weak and he fought for the right
But cherished a goal that he never could sight:
He wanted a dragon to fight.

He prayed all the night and he prayed all the day
That God would provide him a dragon to slay;
And God heard his prayer and considered a way
To furnish Sir Gilbert his prey.

And so, to comply with Sir Gilbert's demand
But having no genuine dragons to hand,
God whisked him away to an earlier land,
With destrier, armor, and brand.

And in the Cretaceous, Sir Gilbert de Vere
Discovered a fifty-foot carnosaur near.
He dug in his spurs and he leveled his spear
And charged without flicker of fear.

The point struck a rib, and the lance broke in twain;
The knight clapped a hand to his hilt, but in vain:
The dinosaur swallowed that valorous thane,
And gallant Sir Gilbert was slain.

The iron apparel he wore for his ride,
However, was rough on the reptile's inside.
That dinosaur presently lay down and died,
And honor was thus satisfied.

But Gilbert no longer was present to care;
So pester not God with your wishes. Beware!
What happens when Heaven has answered your prayer
Is your, and no other's, affair!

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Tuesday Afternoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jan-18-09 02:23 AM
Response to Original message
1. heehee
that was fun.
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BlueIris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jan-18-09 04:25 AM
Response to Original message
2. "So pester not God with your wishes."
I have such a hard time with that one.
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