Page:Cuthbert Bede - The White Wife.djvu/41

22 his daughter to wife, and should be the King's son-in-law. Many took it in hand to kill the Dragon; and among them the young man the herd.

On a day, the warriors were all assembled upon the shore—for the Dragon was to come swimming upon the sea—and the King's daughter was taken to the shore to meet him; for, if she was not there to meet him, the Dragon would kill everyone until he could get at the King's daughter. Then they saw in the distance the Dragon swimming upon the sea; and he splashed the water like a great whale, and he roared like a thousand bulls; and when they saw him, all the warriors ran away as fast as they could. Then there were only the young herd and the King's daughter left upon the shore.

"I would lay my head in thy lap," said the young herd. "Why wouldst thou lay thy head in my lap?" said the King's daughter. "The Dragon is coming, and thou wilt fall asleep."

"O let me sleep awhile," said the young herd, "until the Dragon shall come. And if I do not