THE people of the Penguins¹ were assembled by Mael and they spent the night on the Coast of Shadows within the bounds which the holy man had prescribed in order that none among the Penguins should be poisoned by the monster’s breath. The veil of night still covered the earth when, preceded by a hoarse² bellowing³, the dragon showed his indistinct and monstrous⁴ form upon the rocky coast. He crawled like a serpent and his writhing⁵ body seemed about fifteen feet long. At his appearance the crowd drew back in terror. But soon all eyes were turned towards the Virgin⁶ Orberosia, who, in the first light of the dawn, clothed in white, advanced over the purple heather. With an intrepid⁷ though modest gait she walked towards the beast, who, uttering awful bellowings, opened his flaming throat. An immense cry of terror and pity arose from the midst of the Penguins. But the virgin, unloosing her linen⁸ girdle, put it round the dragon’s neck and led him on the leash⁹ like a faithful dog amid the acclamations of the spectators.

She had walked over a long stretch of the heath when Kraken appeared armed with a flashing sword. The people, who believed him dead, uttered cries of joy and surprise. The hero rushed towards the beast, turned him over on his back, and with his sword cut open his belly¹⁰, from whence came forth¹¹ in their shirts, with curling hair and folded hands, little Elo and the five other children whom the monster had

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