Myra's Well

e home again once more-- Yet hurries all the faster on her way! And once a frightened hare dashed swift across Her ghostly path, and shook with terror all Her comely limbs! And once she saw two eyes-- Two piercing eyes that sparkled, 'neath a bush, And made her giddy till she signed the cross-- And saw a great black cat flit fast away! Strange shapes on either hand she seemed to see Which gibed and waved long shadowy arms, and shook Long threat'ning fingers at her! Once she thought She saw, betwixt a tree-top and the moon, A witches form with Elpsie's face, and heard, Or thought she heard, harsh maledictions fall! And once she slipt, and nearly fell with fright, Upon a slimy, moving thing, that crawled! And thrice she heard the dreaded were-wolf's howl! And thrice a flame-eyed snake did hiss at her! And thrice she heard the hooting of an owl! Below, above, on all sides, sharp beset With horrid shapes and phantasies and threats, Which grew more numerous and portentious still As she came nearer to the sacred we