"The autumn wind—oh hear it howl:
Without—October's tempests scowl,
As he troops away on the raving wind!
And leaveth dry leaves in his path behind.
* * * * *
"'Tis the night—the night
Of the graves' delight,
And the warlock[1] are at their play!
Ye think that without
The wild winds shout,
But no, it is they—it is they!"
Coxe: Hallowe'en.
[1] Devils.
Witchcraft—the origin of which will be traced farther on—had a strong following in England. The three witches in Macbeth are really fates who foretell the future, but they have a kettle in which they boil
"Fillet of a fenny snake,
* * * * *
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blindworm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble——"