The Fall of Gargrum

Gargrum was a callous beast
Clad in iron were both his feet
By his belt a sword was borne
And in his mouth were countless teeth

Gargrum was as tall as trees
Plates of steel concealed his knees
Spite did swirl inside his eye
Causing hardy hearts to freeze

Gargrum dwelt atop a hill
In his fortress cloaked in fog
The only voices Gargrum heard
Were chirp of bird and croak of frog

Gargrum wore a silver band
Around his fearsome head
Five red rubies lay
Upon that shining silver bed

Never did he meet a soul
To whom he did not boast
And of all he boasted of
His crown he spoke of most

The giant had an appetite
For praise more great than want of meat
And so he wandered far and wide
To frighten it from folk he'd meet

A fearful cry sufficed
As adoration in his hunger
Though why the people sought him not
Old Gargrum often wondered

Those who froze in silence
Met their end through Gargrum's violence
He could not bear a quiet stare
For it stirred offense inside him

Yet doomed he was to stumble
In the depths of Robber's Wood
His lofty pride there tumbled
As a man in briars would

One night by light of crescent moon
As Gargrum in his chamber lay
He thought himself the kingliest
Of giants in his day

The giant rose upon a whim
Which bid him tread old Robber's Road
To march toward old Alderdien
Where by force a throne might be bestowed

And so the lumb'ring giant went
Off along his wicked way
From his fort, through Robber's Wood
With will to pilfer, burn and slay

A hunter man was resting there
Stirring stew and roasting hare
When he heard a dreadful sound
'Twas giant feet upon the ground

Trees were shaken, branches broke
And all the sleeping creatures woke
Then the hunter caught a glimpse
Of shining silver through the smoke

That treacherous flame!
'Twas too late to smother
Or lay on his belly
And crawl for some cover

A fell old face in veil of shade
Appeared by light of flickering flame
Great and grey was Gargrum's face
Glaring down on trembling prey

The hunter was as still as stone
Wishing for his hearth and home
Gargrum spoke with mighty sound
And bid him look upon his crown

"I am Gargrum, son of Mothob
Names which every creature's heard of
I take all things which I desire
Chilling hearts with eyes of fire

My crown does glow like winter snow
And with each day does fairer grow
Her ruby dress does clearly show
No greater crown has e'er been known

My teeth are fierce and armour strong
My name is heard in tale and song
Behold, a king shall hither stand
Whose reign shall last for ages long"

Hiprin was the hunter's name
Struggled he at times to speak
Though he trembled, yet he spoke
Much to his disbelief

"I say now, I see now
How mighty is he!
The giant called Gargrum
Too great for a stead!

His legs are like tree trunks
His armour like stone
Ruling the realm
Through his strength alone

If it would please thee,
O Gargrum King
I'd see thy great crown
For the joy that it brings

It is too lofty
Cloaked all in night
So the sign of thy power
Lies hidden from sight

Here, O King
Is my single request
Would thou lift me up high
T'ward the crown on thy head?"

Upon hearing these words
Old Gargrum was pleased
Instead of much wailing
'Twas praise he received!

"How wise thou art
To give such respect
Now surely I'll grant thee
Thy reverent request"

And so, as the fire continued to roar
He stretched out his palm like an oak-wood floor
Knelt he did then on one giant knee
And lowered his hand t'ward Hiprin's feet

A side of Hiprin did regret
While he sighed and took a step
He feared like fish in fisher's net
As up toward the maw he want

He faught the urge to hold his nose
While trembling he rose
Against his sense, an odour foul
Of bitter breath did flow

Once Hiprin stood level with Gargrum's fell grin
His courage awoke like a bear being poked
And up swung his boot in a flash past the chin

The man sent his foot, as quick as he could
Into the middle of Gargrum's eye
That tow'ring foe received the blow
And let out an awful cry

The giant had worn a mighty proud look
When gifted with decadent praise
But quickly his eye sealed firmly shut
And fury washed over his face

Before his foe could fling him far
Hiprin sprang toward a tree
Though in the dark his head struck bark
And fell he did through branch and leaf

When Hiprin woke, the light had come
'Twas midday at his waking
In amber leaves the hunter lay
His head was sorely aching

He feared at first to walk about
Knowing not the giant's fate
Until he saw the vacant eyes
Of Gargrum in that sickly face

The proud and haughty Gargrum
Had been blinded by a boot
And stumbled down and cracked his crown
For he caught his foot upon a root

O! How foolish was the giant
Who had wrought his own undoing
And made himself an artefact
For all the people's viewing

Forever more in song and tale
Old Gargrum served a warning
That they would meet an early grave
Who viewed the meek with scorning

Now Gargrum had no children
And so his line did end
And none did mourn the villain
Who fell and and struck his head