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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WITCHES by JOHN TODHUNTER

First Line: METHOUGHT I SAW THREE SEXLESS THINGS OF STORM

Methought I saw three sexless things of storm,
Methought I saw three sexless things of storm,
Like Macboth's witches-creatures of the curse
Like Macboth's witches-creatures of the curse
That broods, the nightmare of the universe,
That broods, the nightmare of the universe,
Over the womb and mortal births of form;
Oyer the womb and mortal births of form;
And cloudlike in their train a vampyre swarm
And cloudlike in their train a vampyre swarm
Of hovering ills, each than the other worse,
Of hovering ills, each than the other worse,
Letcheries and hates that make this world a hearse
Letcheries and hates that make this world a hearse
Wherein the heart of life is coffined warm.
Wherein the heart of life is coffined warm.
Said the First Witch: "I am Lust, the worm that feeds
Said the First Witch: "I am Lust, the worm that feeds
Upon the buds of love; " the Second said;
Upon the buds of love; " the Second said;
"I am the tyrant's tyrant, cruel Fear; "
I am the tyrant's tyrant, cruel Fear
The Third: "I am the blight of evil deeds,
The Third: "I am the blight of evil deeds,
The murrain of sick souls," and in my ear
The murrain of sick souls," and in my ear
Whispered a name ot paralysing dread.
Whispered a name of paralysing dread.








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