Caput Draconis [The Dragon’s Head]
(Author: Gregory IX)

1. Last of the evil dragon’s heads,
   Holding aloft its vengeful sword,
   Against God’s people now stirred up
   The seventh of its savage wars.
2. Against the skies it took its stand
   And strove mightily to drag down
   The greatest portion of the stars,
   To match the number of the damned.
3. But yet, from Christ’s own side was sent
   A legate with a mission new,
   Upon whose holy body marked
   The ensign of the Cross was seen.
4. Protected by the shield of faith,
   And helmeted with hope ^{1 Thes 5:8}, he bore
   The sword of the Word, and for belt
   He was girded with chastity. ^{2 Kgs 1:8}
5. Francis, chieftain of great renown,
   Carried the regal banner forth,
   Assembled a council of war
   To move throughout the whole wide world
   Against the rifts the dragon wrought.
6. He marshaled three full battle-lines
   Of soldiers readied for action,^a
   To put to flight and rout that force
   And that threefold demonic band
   The dragon ever kept at strength. ^{Rv 16:13}
7. On the King’s orders he hastened
   To those joys that last for ever;
   Saint Francis putting in his claim
   For his well-earned soldier’s wages.
8. Bequeath to us, kindest Father,
   The grace our father had from You;
   So may the sons he fathered be
   Partakers of his glory too. Amen.

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