CHILD
Are all the dragons fled?
Are all the goblins dead?
Am I quite safe in bed?

NURSE
Thou art quite safe in bed
Dragons and goblins all are dead.

CHILD
When Michael's angels fought
The dragon, was it caught?
Did it jump and roar?
(Oh, nurse, don't shut the door.)
And did it try to bite?
(Nurse don't blow out the light.)

NURSE
Hush, thou knowest what I said,
Saints and dragons all are dead.

FATHER
(to himself)
Oh child, nurse lies to thee,
For dragons thou shalt see,
Please God that on that day
Thou may'st a dragon slay.
And if thou do'st not faint
God shall not want a Saint.

—H.D.C. Pepler, 1916