Ridge scaly sharpness of protruding bones,

To rip you limb from limb with taloned claws.

Nor be deceived if some far midnight bell

Boom that anticipated hour, nor leave

By one short inch the bloody orbit, for

The minion varlets of Hell's majesty

Expectant cirque its dim circumference.

But when the hour of midnight smites, be sure

You have your bullets, neither more nor less;

For, if thro' fear one more or less you have,