Cienzo found the staircase and descended in the gloom.

There sat three ugly ogres in the middle of the room.

To his surprise he found that they were crying bitter tears.

“Our lovely treasure.  Now we lose it after all these years.

“Because you’re brave the treasure now belongs to you instead.”

Then they vanished into smoke before Cienzo turned his head.

He couldn’t find the stairs so he began to call and shout.

At dawn the tower owner heard and came to let him out.

The rays of sun revealed a treasure lying on a board.

“Take all you want,” the owner said.  “It’s yours as a reward.”

But Cienzo wanted none of it.  He whistled for his horse

and he and his enchanted dog continued on their course.

They came to still another wood.  This one was deep and dark.

A gang of youths were threatening a fairy for a lark.

They would have had her honor.  Seeing what would soon befall

Cienzo took his sword and in a thrice he killed them all.

“You’ve rescued me!  For thanks,” she said, “I’ll lead you to my glen

where you may have your will of me.”  Cienzo smiled.  But then,

“I’ve many miles to go,” he said.  “Perhaps another day.”

And he and his enchanted dog continued on their way.

He next came to a palace which was draped in cloth of black.

The courtiers were weeping.  “Why?” he asked.  “Alas, alack,

our land has been invaded by a dragon fierce and wild

and every day, as sacrifice, he gobbles down a child.