(I wrote this the morning after my decapit-- er, induction into the House of the Argent Aspis. Had our esteemed officers known it was in the works, I'm certain Dremerie would have come up with something far more embarrassing to tattoo on me, and Aurien would have demanded to see a bit of thigh as well as calf.)
Praise to the Dragon, and raise your cups high!
May Aspis's legend ascend to the sky,
May never the shadow of guilt, doubt, or fear
Tarnish the silver our hearts all hold dear.
The Dragon's Quest binds us as we guide the new--
Forgive poet's license, since that's not quite true.
If ropes bound me down, I wouldn't trust half this crowd
Not to empty my pockets while whistling out loud.
(Chorus:)
So praise to the Dragon, and raise your cups high!
May Aspis's legend ascend to the sky,
May never the shadow of guilt, doubt, or fear
Tarnish the silver our hearts all hold dear.
The Dragon's Eye pierces through puzzlement's haze--
Except when we're wandering in half-drunken daze.
I offer a toast to the end of the day
When the men with the drunk-carts haul half us away.
(chorus)
The Dragon's Flame blazes forever to guard--
Except when we've tummyache in the courtyard.
We ate Spaetzle's cooking, twas yummy and good,
But we ate far more than he said that we should.
(chorus)
The Dragon's Wings carry it high through the air--
Much better than airships. I've reason to care!
I nearly couldn't find my admit price to pay,
The Gillywhack debted me six hundred K.
(chorus)
The Dragon's Claw strikes down without miss or fail--
Except when the polish is chipped on one nail.
How hideous, how ugly, don't look at me please,
You surely must think I've some hideous disease.
(chorus)
The Dragon's Heart knows passion near, far, and wide--
As we see by the damsels at Tellian's side.
They may say a dragon soars never alone
I'm contented with only ONE drake of my own.
(chorus)
The Dragon's Blood courses through all of our veins--
And gets on our clothes to leave horrible stains.
Unconquerable and mighty our spirits may be,
But our bodies are not so, as empaths oft see.
(chorus)
Quest, Eye, Flame, Wings, we stand ready to aid,
Claw, Heart, and Blood, by the vow we have made.
Brave as the Dragon, our gates proudly stand
Symbol of heart's warmth and each helping hand,
Symbol of love and Elanthia's demand,
All that we cherish and guard in this land....
...so....
(chorus)