Which briskly wanton'd in the wind; Then swore "It's of the dragon kind!" On deep reflection he grew tardy, And thought it sin to be fool-hardy. "If I con seve meh sell," quoth he, "Whot's flying dragons unto me? "There con no wisdom be I trow, "In feighting things we dunnaw know; "For should it chonce fly e meh face, "I'm deeo'd os tripe-witheawt God's grase," So Oamfrey he the wand threw down, Took up his stick, and march'd for town.

PART III.

Two roods he had not gone, before

A blast of wind the monster bore
Within two yards of Oamphrey's stick,
Which vex'd our hero to the quick.
Quoth Noamp, "Be this I plenely see
"It mun be oather thee ur me,
"And sin 'tis so, I'll never run,
"Boh kill ur dee before eh done."

Then in a passion from his hand,
He threw his stick and fetch'd the wand;
And poor pig-tail with courage fresh,
And all his might began to thresh;

But still the dragon kept the field,
Cock'd up his tail and scorn'd to yield,

This furious combat by report,

Did last while Oamfrey's stick grew short,
And a cessation, as fame reckons,
Continued till he got fresh weapons.
But Oamfrey having luck to find
A weapon to his murdering mind,
Says softly thus unto himself;
"Theaw feights for honor, not for pelf;
"And if theaw gets this direfoo beawt,
"Thy feme will bleze, un ne'er gooa eawt,"
Then hemming twice-spits on his hand,
And snatches up the magic wand,
Resolv❜d to do a feat to brag on,

So strikes with all his might the dragon;
And thus the battle was renew'd,

And both sides to their tackle stood.

Again fierce Oamfrey's stick did dwindle
Into the length of common spindle;
But thinking now the battle gain'd,
Because he with no blood was stain❜d;
Resolv'd to fetch another switch,

To kill outright this dragon-witch.

Now while this third great duel lasted, Fierce Oamfrey's strength was almost wasted, The dragon too, now wanting breath, Had symptoms of approaching death; And ev'ry member seem'd to fail, He hardly stirring wing or tail, For Boreas likewise, tir'd at length, Had quite exhausted all his strength, And all was hush: so fortune gave The field and battle to the brave!

And pig-tail lies as still as stone,
As tho' to live it ne'er had known.
And thus the Dragon here was slain,
Whilst Oamfrey lives to fight again.

PART IV.

OUR hero's courage none can doubt;
Nor love of fame was he without:
For when this glorious feat was done,
And such a vict'ry fairly won,
Ambitious Oamfrey in a crack,
Put kersey coat on sweating back;
And then with cautious stare he view'd

The dragon which he'd hack'd and hew'd;
But still it prov'd above his ken,

As it might do to wiser men.

Here Oamfrey musters up his senses, And pride threw down all meek pretences; So he resolv'd he'd boldly bear In triumph, all the spoils of war. With this intent his ample foot Held down the pig-tail, whilst he put

His stick within the frizzl❜d hair,

And thus before him did it bear.

Ten furlongs he'd triumphing past,

But met no mortal man or beast:

When, lo!-he met with heart full gleesome,
The rev'rend rector styl'd of Heysham.

The parson star'd, whilst Oamfrey held
The dragon, which he'd lately kill❜d :
And after clearing up his weasand,
He query'd thus, to know the reason!