And watch the cities burning bright and clear;

Faces diabolical and cliffs and halls

And strangely-pinnacled, molten castle walls.

Tall figures flicker on the ceiling stark

Then grimly fade into one ominous dark;

Dream terrors iron-bound throng on them apace,

And dusk with fire, and flames with shadows race.

Gwen John

[255]

A CAROL FOR SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY