A Habitation of Dragons

I am a poor, weak creature; unstable as water, I cannot excel. This corruption is too hard for me, and is at the very door of ruining my soul; and what to do I know not. My soul is become as parched ground, and a habitation of dragons. I have made promises and broken them; vows and engagements have been as a thing of nought. Many persuasions have I had that I had got the victory and should be delivered; but I am deceived; so that I plainly see, that without some eminent succor and assistance, I am lost, and shall be prevailed on to an utter relinquishment of God. But yet, though this be my state and condition, let the hands that hang down be lifted up, and the feeble knees be strengthened. Behold the Lord Christ, who hath all fullness of grace in his heart, all fullness of power in his hand: he is able to slay all these his enemies. There is a sufficient provision in him for my relief and assistance: he can take my drooping, dying soul, and make me more than a conqueror. He can make the dry, parched ground of my soul to become a pool, and my thirsty, barren heart as springs of water; yea, he can make this habitation of dragons, this heart so full of abominable lusts and fiery temptations, to be a place for grass and fruit for himself.

-John Owen, The Mortification of Sin, 146-147

Fairy Tales

Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.

-G. K. Chesterton, epigraph from Neil Gaiman's Coraline

Every Little Piece

Dragon whiskers, dragon toes
A dragon tooth and a dragon nose

Every little piece, every little piece
We could make a million
By slicing him, dicing him
Hoagy, we could sell
Every little shell
There's enough of him to go around
Money, money, money by the pound

Every little piece, every little piece
I can take a scissor
And clip him up, rip him up
Every little part
Is a work of art
Think of what a dragon heart would bring
Wrapped up in a ribbon and a string

Dragon liver can cure a cold
Dragon powder grows hair
With dragon blood you'll never grow old
Every item is covered with gold
Every item is covered with gold!

Every little piece, every little piece
Dragon you're my wagon
To destiny, you're the key
Every little shred
Moving me ahead
Every dream of mine will be fulfilled
What a dragon business we can build

Dragon cartilage keeps you thin
Dragon fat is for burns
A dragon tear will clear up your skin
Watch the profits come rolling in
Watch the profits come rolling in!

Every little piece, every little crease
All lead me to the dragon
I'll buy him up, tie him up
Drag him from the cave
Show him that I'm brave
I'll bind him up, grind him up
Lop him up, chop him up
Can't you hear that jingle, jangle sound?
It's money, money, money by the pound!

-Pete's Dragon