My armour is tattered, more than a little battered,
As through the portcullis gate I stumble
And though my sword lies chipped and bloody
There is fight yet in me, I know.

The dragon is slain, it lies behind me now,
It's blood a burned smear across my brow,
I never knew it would take such a fight,
But fight on I did and won.

The decaying castle lies before me now,
Seeming quiet as a grave, as deathly as a tomb
Yet a sweet sound from one upper room
Calls my vision to a high eyrie above.

A voice of young gentle beauty surely,
An angel descended to this battlement,
Her song lays an enchantment in my soul,
The first stirrings of chivalric love grow.

I urge my broken body onwards,
To the steps of the highest tower,
Climbing now, two steps at a time,
Not a moment wasted now.

The voice is gone now yet still I climb,
My heart thundering in my chest,
Armour trying to drag me to my doom,
Desire my only strength retained.

Above the clouds now this upper room,
The tower top opens wide,
And there lies sleeping this angelic vision,
One of heaven's children before my eyes.

She lays sleeping now, at peace, at rest,
And I gaze in wonder, hardly breathing,
Can this hero now claim this prize?
Is the heart noble enough that beats in my chest?

Her dark hair a raven waterfall of beauty,
Falling about her pale alabaster face,
And English rose, this angel princess,
Her angelic form hidden under cotton and lace.

I plant my sword in the floor like a cross,
And kneel before the sleeping lady,
Promising God my endless duty,
To protect this princess for ever more.

And I go to her, heart beating,
Her soft cheek fitting into my palm
I lower my lips to her soft sweet mouth
And claim the princess for my own.

Her eyes open wide, ablaze with fire
Russet and Emerald greet my gaze,
Eyes full of love and promise,
And tears of devotion in moments form.

"Arise my princess," I speak to her,
"For I am here to claim you as my own.
I cannot promise you the danger has ended
But I will die before I see you harmed."