Ongoing still, the oration of an ancient story

Aging ever faster, ever growing gaunt and hoary

A tale so old and often told

Of gold for blood and blood for gold

 

Recited countless times before the jury

How warm the blood, the gold how cold

Ever echoing from glen to wold

This immortal, devouring story

 

Rose-tinted tales of valour and glory

The truth behind more dark and gory

Fear and loathing for the old

Death and murder for the bold

 

And yet a useful allegory

For those earnest and intrepid-souled

Those seeking to reform the mould

And ink another, kinder story