A Night at Castle Bergh

It was a grey day in November

When a knight arrived from far

Behind him rose, as I remember,

Majestically the Morningstar.

The man rode on a noble stallion

Clad was he in armored gear

He must have fled for strange rebellion

For his face was filled with fear.

Reluctantly I did approach him

When he tumbled down his steed

I could hear a distant roaring

As he scrambled to his feet.

“Please my Baron, give me shelter”,

Said he, sinking to his knees,

“I escaped an evil smelter

Coming from the Persian seas”.

“It is no Dragon, dear von Saxen

Knocking on our castle door,

In this world there is no ax and

Sword to fight the Manticore!”.

While I listened to these rambles

Just about to lose my wits

Something broke right through the brambles

It was my horse, named Baron Fritz.

 “My dear knight, come ride beside me

To your ancient Castle Bergh,

Hurry up, you’ll have to guide me!

Yours von Saxen says: En Garde!”

So we rode as swift as lightning

Right across the barren lands

To the knight our speed was frightening

But I didn’t even tense.

As the sun sank quickly lower

City walls came into sight

Glowing fires in the tower

Were our beacons through the night.

At the twelfth beat of the church bells

Finally we did arrive

Rage was burning in my nerve cells

“Manticore, fear for your life!”

The trembling knight stood far behind me

As I opened up the gate

“Manticore, you little sweet pea

I will serve you on a plate!”

With a roar as loud as thunder

Sailing down on crimson wings

No, it really was no wonder

Manticore scared even kings!

 I drew my dagger made of Krupp steel

Ready to attack the beast

When I spotted a small gold seal

Stemming from the Middle East.

It had been stuck up in his left ear

For more than a century

It once was placed there by an Emir

Lacking any sympathy

Looking at this wretched creature

I now made a change of plan

The monster needed swift procedure

Of a brave and noble man

With a jump around the whole globe

I leapt up and grabbed his neck

Ripped the seal out of his earlobe

And then threw him on his back.

He looked upon me full of wonder

And a lot of gratitude

I tickled him, he growled like thunder

But with lovely attitude.

From the ancient castle towers

Wild applause and cheers rained down

The Countess threw some yellow flowers

And the Count gave me a crown.

“Oh dear Baron we adore you”

Shouted out the happy crowd

“This has been a real big breakthrough

You should be extremely proud.”

Then I bowed and gave a whistle

To my noble Baron Fritz

This time he came through the thistles

And we left there like a Blitz

Manticore flew right along us

All the way to Switzerland

He’s got now a brand new address

And is forever my right hand!