Book 1, Chapter Seven: The Ascent, Pages 137 and 138

The Servant green of cloth, in Flemish style,
Replies thus, “Kynge Alisaunder, those here
Are griffins. Guardians of the earth and sky,
Wear the head of the eagle, king of birds,
And the body of the lion mighty,
Ruler of land animals four-leg and two.
Such magnificent creatures, aren’t they?“

Kynge Alisaunder moves white demon horse,
Bucephalus forward. Gleams in his eye
Black novel wants for majesties above.
“Hmm,” he says. “I’d like them for my own.”

The Servant inflects, taken aback. “Eh?”
Curl in his smile, Alisaunder explains, “Well.
Since I am on my way to conquer death,
I may as well master the guardians both
That traverse heaven and earth. Only then
Will I truly be king of kings, correct?”