Hercules and his Twelve Labors

The Tenth Labor: The Cattle of Geryon Part I

And Mars resenting hero great
For role he played in daughters fate.
Did set his mind to causing harm
By blocking hero's paths with charms.

"His kin this wicked wretch has slain
On hero's hands their blood is lain.
Now demi-god my daughter killed
On path to have his task fulfilled.

My quest the jury twelve should grant
To slay this knave in time so scant.
Instead he brings to others woe
Where ever hero's bid to go.

To have my rightful pound of flesh
I'll work against the hero's best.
Opposing labors king has grant
Frustrating path with magic chants.

That ruins plans at every turn
So nature hero's work does spurn."
So god of war did watch his foe
As hero down to island goes.

And makes his plans for cruel revenge
That god the mortal hopes impinge.
With dreadful curses wracking land
Wherever hero dares to stand.

Unto the shore the hero goes
From ship that godling made abode
While sailing sea to reach the home
Of giant who loves his cows alone.

Forgoing all the joys of man
To use them up his only plan.
Then eat his servants forms for meal
The lone desire that giant feels.

So hero studies island well
And learns the place where giant dwells.
In hopes that demi-god might deal
A death to man who servants kills.

From covert spot he cattle spies
In field where grazing beast now lie.
But Mars when seeing plans he's made
Devises way to dig his grave.

A monstrous dog the giant owns
That guards his flock from all who roam.
To island far from greeces lands
Where giant makes his royal stand.

So Mars begins an ancient song
That summons wind that's hard and strong.
To sweep the scent of hero up
And take the odor down to pup.

Who lays beside the cattle yard
Where mortal slaves now labor hard.
The beast does rise receiving scent
That god of war to wolf now sent.

And bears it's fangs and hissing growls
Toward the demi-god it prowls.
To come on foe in hiding place
In hopes to slay the man with haste.

But demi-god with greatest might
Forbears the beast uncanny might.
And beats the dog with magic rod
He's gave by Satyr Pan the god.

For brief but savage time they fight
Imposing will with all their might
Till hero fin'lly wins the day
And dog at feet now laid there slain.

But win did come at mighty price
Alerting all to covert heist.
And waking giant from slumber deep
To gather sword and guard his keep.
L