He ate men and cattle impartially, and was exceedingly unpopular.

The German emperor of that day made the usual offer: he would grant to the destroyer of the dragon, any one solitary thing he might ask for; for he had a surplusage of daughters, and it was customary for dragon-killers to take a daughter for pay.
So the most renowned knights came from the four corners of the earth and retired down the dragon's throat one after the other.

A panic arose and spread.

Heroes grew cautious.

The procession ceased.