HALLOWE'EN

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite

All are on their rounds to-night,-

In the wan moon's silver ray

Thrives their helter-skelter play.

***

Fond of cellar, barn,or stack,

True unto the almanac,

They present to credulous eyes

Strange hobgoblin mysteries.

***

Cabbage-stomps-straws wet with dew-

Apple-skins, and chestnuts too,

And a mirror for some lass,

Show what wonders come to pass.

***

Doors they move, and gates they hide,

Mischiefs that on moon-beams ride

Are their deeds, and, by their spells,

Love records its oracles.

***

Don't we all, of long ago,

By the ruddy fireplace glow,

In the kitchen and the hall,

Those queer, coofllke pranks recall?

***

Eery shadows were they then-

But to-night they come again;

Were we once more but sixteen,

Precious would be Halloween.

***

-- Joel Benton