Born of a ducks egg, hatched by a toad
the dreaded cockatrice uses Wherwell Priory as it’s abode
don’t be caught by its steely glare
or be made into a stone statue
if it catches you with it’s eyes
so don’t look run
or be be overcome
It eats and causes destruction wherever it flies
so watch the skies with fearful eyes.
But wait a man called Green
seeks the four acre reward
he polishes a piece of steel as a mirror long and broad
he lowers it into the beasts lair
the cockatrice caught within it’s own stare
fights it’s own reflection
until exhausted.
Then Green ran the beast though with a javelin mighty and true
and claims his reward as a hero brave and clever
Green’s acres still stands in Harewood forest near Andover forever.
