He is a friend, bountiful in kindness, to every one save only the dragon; with him he always lives at enmity by means of every injury he can inflict. He is a bewitching animal, marvelously beautiful with every color. Just as, according to men holy in spirit, Joseph's coat was variegated with hues of every shade, each shining before the sons of men brighter and more perfect than another, so does the color of this beast blaze with every diversity, gleaming in wondrous wise so clear and fair that each tint is ever lovelier than the next, glows more enchanting in its splendor, more rare, more beauteous, and more strange. He has a nature all his own, so gentle and so calm is * * * * * milde, gemetfæst. Hē is monþwǣre, lufsum and lēoftæl: nele lāþes wiht ǣ[ng]um geæfnan būtan þām āttorsceaþan, his fyrngeflitan, þe ic ǣr fore sægde. 35 Symle, fylle fægen, þonne fōddor þigeð, æfter þām gereordum ræste sēceð, dȳgle stōwe under dūnscrafum; ðǣr se þēo[d]wiga þrēonihta fæc swifeð on swe[_o_]fote, slǣpe gebiesga[d]. 40 Þonne ellenrōf ūp āstondeð, þrymme gewelga[d], on þone þriddan dæg, snēome of slǣpe. Swēghlēoþor cymeð, wōþa wynsumast, þurh þæs wildres mūð; æfter pære stefne stenc ūt cymeð 45 of þām wongstede-- wynsumra stēam, swēttra and swīþra, swæcca gehwylcum, wyrta blōstmum and wudublēdum, eallum æþelīcra eorþan frætw[um]. * * * * * From all disturbing passion. Gracious, kind, And full of love, he meditates no harm But to that venomous foe, as I have told, His ancient enemy. Once he has rejoiced His heart with feasting, straight he finds a nook Hidden among dim caves, his resting-place. There three nights' space, in deepest slumber wrapped, The people's champion lies. Then, stout of heart, The third day he arises fresh from sleep, Endowed with glory. From the creature's mouth Issues a melody of sweetest strains; And close upon the voice a balmy scent Fills all the place--an incense lovelier, Sweeter, and abler to perfume the air, Than any odor of an earthly flower Or scent of woodland fruit, more excellent * * * * * it. Kind, attractive, and friendly, he has no thought of doing harm to any save the envenomed foe, his ancient adversary of whom I spoke.