A Riddle

A king with a glorious crown
Clasped between his bony fingers
Lies sleeping in the cold, not
Knowing that his clothing is
Now tattered and torn. Though he is ragged,
He is magnificent in his kingdom. When he awakens from this
Slumber, he greedily feasts on the air and
The earth, content to allow his
Body to become thick and round
This time of greatness cannot last for
Soon will come thieves that would steal his
Throne, striking him down to take the
Golden rings from his corpse while his
Wives and children weep.

answer

copyright 2002 Elizabeth A. Miller
�A Medieval Riddle�   Under a Quicksilver Moon                                       Library of Congress ISBN-0-7951-5062-2