XIV

4 0 00

XIV

“St. Agnes! Ah! it is St. Agnes’ Eve⁠—

Yet men will murder upon holy days:

Thou must hold water in a witch’s sieve,

And be liege-lord of all the Elves and Fays,

To venture so: it fills me with amaze

To see thee, Porphyro!⁠—St. Agnes’ Eve!

God’s help! my lady fair the conjurer plays

This very night: good angels her deceive!

But let me laugh awhile, I’ve mickle time to grieve.”