B.C. (before Celestia)

Some of us know the short version, as a nursery tail. This first version is most remarkable as I found it in the archives of the Crystal Empire library. I did notice that the meter and system change. This may be a copy of two earlier versions. What is most amazing is that it describes the origin of our tales of our Good King who founded Canterlot.

March past the rambles and bogs
Where be brambles are thickest there you will find
Wolves made of twigs, sticks and logs
A pond beyond twisted with vines

Past the ponds of ooze and beneath the stone
There taken her own reflection she stared
Beyond the image made of flesh and bone
Yearning for one whose reflection she shared

Into the cavern beneath the thorns and briars
Solemnly swear not to be scared
Slip past the monsters, horns and liars
At the prospect of gloom doubly shared

Cursed be these double gang hers kickers
Cursed be the pirate peg slavers
Tear the flesh and bone do stickers
Torn the mirror do peg pirate slayers

Again and again the pegs kill the maid
Again and again Ing bids her image rise
From the sky the winged ponies came to raid
Exhausted the flying folk fade to the wise

Least their energy hers to claim
Frustrated the peg lord rages fits
As Lady Ing receives glory and fame
Defeated the peg lord quits

Sombra betrays his brother and Pick
Slaves they become to the peg lords
Ursula is lost, claimed by the sick
Lonely Star, all is disaster for the price of a sword

Needless send, Odk gets his ‘go’
Begs the battle for the keep
At first the fight goes slow
But at last the walls are heaps

Bloodbath brings the hungry dragon
Satiate his thirst on bloody feast
Old enemies make truce and drink the flagon
Vow together to kill the monstrous beast

March the armies of pegs and dirts
Led by Star Swirl the bearded unicorn
With lords Sombra, Go-Odk, and Ing

All the Ings aglow in their skirts
Vows again and again are sworn
All together all fates be fling

To the crystal caves of Canterlot
Fight the dragon or feed him
Could sword and spear be enough?

Would pony’s lives end in rot?
As clamor of steel rings the dim
With Swirl’s magic they be tough

With Ing’s songs they would sing
Winging blade cut dragon scales
Swinging blades chop dragon tails

Legend pause, time stands still
Lances thrust through his chin
Blood rains on hero’s kin

Thus did Go Odk, Ing and Sombra claim
Long life and thrones on hill
Yet dragon still lives and forces retreat

Munching armored crunchies and burning mane
All seemed lost as the Star fell
But Go Odk and Ing preformed their feat

Rescued the Swirl and creature is bashed
So Go Odk is king and Ing does the tell
While Sombra slips to slaving and friendship is broken

Hearts be cracked and love is dashed
So rings the bell, so ends the tail
As Go Odk Ing becomes ‘Good King’ be spoken