The Legend of Golden Crib

The day is consumed. Tired sun’s going down,
Its last golden rays lay on towers and walls.
New evening will cover the ancient town,
And it will get into its old sleeping gown,
And close all the gates just before darkness falls.

The town stands high, from the north there are slopes,
Begirt by thick walls. Other sides are just cliffs.
In vain the enemies cherished their hopes -
But horses are pulling big bombards with ropes,
The walls would not stand, there’ll be no “ifs”.

King looked at the window. Deep down the valley
The enemies gathered in countless hordes.
Thus, will the besieged take the risk of a sally,
Or will there be just one last fight in alley -
“So where do we die from the enemy swords?”

Small kingdom had quarrels with their nuisance neighbours.
The reasons were petty. It’s time to resent.
Because of new strong and unknown invaders,
Conquering the land by their merciless sabers,
Old rivals have nothing to do but repent.

But it is too late, and the sun’s going down.
All happened too fast, all the land is suppressed.
The last defense pocket - this ancient town,
King’s going to loose both his head and his crown,
It’s plain as a pikestaff, what else can be guessed.

Just two days ago, heading small cavalcade,
King went to a nearby mountain. God knows
What he brought along, and what there he laid,
In one deepest grot and then fervently prayed,
That mountain protects what he hid from the foes.

As soon as they left, one strong earthquake occurred,
The mountain shook and the cave collapsed.
The horsemen were scared but the king only spurred,
For he understood that his treasure was buried,
His prayers were answered, his time had elapsed.

Much later descendants of those who survived
Will hand down a legend – it was Golden Crib,
The one in which all their dynasty thrived,
The thing with which they won’t be ever deprived,
But it’s just a legend, it has to be glib…

Well, that distant day tired sun’s rolling down,
Its farewell rays lay on towers and walls.
Get ready to fight for your king and the crown,
Put on suite of armours and die for your town,
And close all the gates just before darkness falls…