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nd fishes swim to take their food From out her dainty hand. "Meek as she sits in meeting-time, The godly minister Notes well the spell that doth compel The young men's eyes to her. "The mole upon her dimpled chin Is Satan's seal and sign; Her lips are red with evil bread And stain of unblest wine. "For Tituba, my Indian, saith At Quasycung she took The Black Man's godless sacrament And signed his dreadful book. "Last night my sore-afflicted child Against the young witch cried. To take her Marshal Herrick rides Even now to Wenham side." The marshal in his saddle sat, His daughter at his knee; "I go to fetch that arrant witch, Thy fair playmate," quoth he. "Her spectre walks the parsonage, And haunts both hall and stair; They know her by the great blue eyes And floating gold of hair." "They lie, they lie, my father dear! No foul old witch is she, But sweet and good and crystal-pure As Wenham waters be." "I tell thee, child, the Lord hath set Before us good and ill, And woe to all whose carnal loves Oppose His righteous will. "Between Him and the powers of hell Choose thou, my child, to-day No sparing hand, no pitying eye, When God commands to slay!" He went his way; the old wives shook With fear as he drew nigh; The children in the dooryards held Their breath as he passed by. Too well they knew the gaunt gray horse The grim witch-hunter rode The pale Apocalyptic beast By grisly Death bestrode. II. Oh, fair the face of Wenham Lake Upon the young girl's shone, Her tender mouth, her dreaming eyes, Her yellow hair outblown. By happy youth and love attuned To natural harmonies, The singing birds, the whispering wind, She sat beneath the trees. Sat shaping for her bridal dress Her mother's wedding gown, When lo! the marshal, writ in hand, From Alford hill rode down. His face was hard with cruel fear, He grasped the maiden's hands "Come with me unto Salem town, For so the law commands!" "Oh, let me to my mother say Farewell before I go!" He closer tied her little hands Unto his saddle bow. "Unhand me," cried she piteously, "For
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