Within my black and scarlet hall
Four golden dragons live.
Their names are Richard, Timothy,
Mirandola and Paul
(These I myself did give).
Their real names no one ever says,
They are so very grand.
Their real names if you would pronounce
You must fast forty days,
With your mouth full of sand;
Then, with the names all written out,
Climb to the topmost hills,
Where you unwind from rock to rock,
With a triumphant shout,
Their strange disyllables.
[Illustration: Black and white circular illustration featuring the name
"RICHARD" at the top, enclosing a dark crescent moon dotted with small
stars and featuring a bird-like head facing right.]