Manticore

The deepest bowels of the Earth
In ancient times had given birth
To strange creatures passed into lore.
None more fearsome than the manticore.

With terrifying bugle blare,
The beast leaps from his jungle lair
Trailing the pungent smell of decay
His piercing blue eyes hold his prey.

Tail whipping, flinging toxic darts
That poison blood and stop men’s hearts.
He sees mankind’s mulitidude
As a plentiful source of food.

As they stand their in soiled pants
The brute may give them one last chance.
A riddle answered from the beast
Saves them from the manticore’s feast.