The Tale of Dunberton
 
Of warriors no mention's made, of knights no note is sung; 
When told is den-Dunberton's tale by Heir-of-Dunber's tongue.
"There sat small Dunberton alone beside a stagnant brook." 
Began the voice of Dunber's heir with ancient mouth and look.
 
"The plague was raging all around," the wizened man did say, 
"By tens and twelves the toll would rise with every passing day;
"One fourth is all 'twas left of men, one fourth of all the town,
When from the hills there came a lad who wandered down and down.
 
"The decimated town he saw, it filled him full with grief,
An oath he swore by field and fount to bring the burg relief;
"He sought to end the plague of death by pulling out his hair,
And one strand each he gave the sick, he said they must it wear.
 
"He gathered then his pack and clothes, seeing his job was done,
And started off along the stream out of den-Dunberton;
"Dunber himself then saw the lad a-striding down the stream;
Watching the lad dislodge a rock my Father heard him scream.
 
Then pebbles moved and rocks did slide and logs no more did rest,
So water flowed which once had hatched a most distressing pest;
His life a nameless lad did give to make stagnation run,
Through Dunber vale and to the sea away from Dunberton.
 
The failing man had told of plague, of rocks and death and hair, 
And one small boy who I must know for now I'm Dunber's heir:
Of warriors no mention is made, of knights no note is sung,
When is told den-Dunberton's tale by my now knowing tongue.