Page:The Ingoldsby Legends (Frowde, 1905).pdf/88

 By the pale blue glare of that flickering flame, Doing the deed that hath never a name! 'Tis awful to hear Those words of fear! The prayer mutter'd backwards, and said with a sneer! (Matthew Hopkins himself assured us that when A witch says her prayers, she begins with 'Amen.')— —'Tis awful to see On that Old Woman's knee The dead, shrivell'd hand, as she clasps it with glee!— And now, with care, The five locks of hair From the skull of the Gentleman dangling up there, With the grease and the fat Of a black Tom Cat She hastens to mix, And to twist into wicks, And one on the thumb, and each finger to fix.— (For another receipt the same charm to prepare, Consult Mr. Ainsworth and Petit Albert.)

'Now open lock To the Dead Man's knock! Fly bolt, and bar, and band!— Nor move, nor swerve Joint, muscle, or nerve, At the spell of the Dead Man's hand! Sleep all who sleep!—Wake all who wake!— But be as the Dead for the Dead Man's sake!!'

All is silent! all is still, Save the ceaseless moan of the bubbling rill As it wells from the bosom of Tappington Hill. And in Tappington Hall Great and Small, Gentle and Simple, Squire and Groom, Each one hath sought his separate room, And sleep her dark mantle hath o'er them cast, For the midnight hour hath long been past!

All is darksome in earth and sky, Save, from yon casement, narrow and high, A quivering beam On the tiny stream Plays, like some taper's fitful gleam By one that is watching wearily.

Within that casement, narrow and high, In his secret lair, where none may spy,