Cattle of Geryon

Inspired by the 10th labor of Hercules

One bull apparently was not enough.
The king challenged him with tougher stuff.
A whole heard of cattle was on the slate.
It was something that could not wait.
Across the sea near the setting sun.
The cattle grazed, yes, every one.
To an island far he must go.
Across a desert if you must know.
The heat it was not fun,
So an arrow he shot into the sun.
The sun god thought it was bold.
So he gifted him with his chariot old.
Across the sea he did sail.
And fetching the cattle he would not fail.
The herdsman and his cattle dog,
with two heads and no fog,
both had to die to catch the cattle,
his confidence that did not rattle.
As he herded them back to the king.
Hera did an awful thing.
Sending flies and raising rivers,
just the thought gives me shivers.
Finally he got them to the king.
With their sacrifice Hera's praises sing.

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