The paint was weathered to a mere acrostic

Which cold unfocussed eyes could never read—

But jerking a derisive thumb behind it

Up a rough stream-wet path “The Witches’ Cauldron

One Mile.” Only a mile

For two good hours of stumbling steeplechase!

There was a dead snake by some humorous hand

Twined on the pointing finger; far away

A bull roared hoarsely, but all else was mist.

Then anger came upon him, in which heat