Christus Victor

Today is St George's Day, and also the anniversary of both the birth and the death of William Shakespeare.

Because of this (actually, it's a coincidence, but it struck me how appropriate this is!) I give you a Shakespearean sonnet on medieval themes, containing a dragon.

Christus Victor

The dragon Winter made a treasure trove

and all the jewels of Earth were in his keep.

He shut it tight, and fast the bolts he drove,

and, sealed with ice, stored it in caverns deep.

But all unseen, a thief came in the cold

and stole inside, before he shut the lid.

Life stole inside among the hoarded gold

Curled up beneath the covert gems, and hid.

Then, while the ransacked earth, by theft undone,

covered her shame and sorrow under snow,

Life smashed the roof.  Now look!  Catching the sun,

gold cowslip, daffodil and primrose grow.

That knight who stole the stolen, stands most brave:

Life’s oriflamme flies from that plundered cave.