I am a Witch, and a kind old Witch, br There's many a one knows that-- br Alone I live in my little dark house br With Pillycock, my cat. br A girl came running through the night, br When all the winds blew free:-- br "O mother, change a young man's heart br That will not look on me. br O mother, brew a magic mead br To stir his heart so cold." br "Just as you will, my dear," said I; br "And I thank you for your gold." br So here am I in the wattled copse br Where all the twigs are brown, br To find what I need to brew my mead br As the dark of night comes down. br Primroses in my old hands, br Sweet to smell and young, br And violets blue that spring in the grass br Wherever the larks have sung. br With celandines as heavenly crowns br Yellowy-gold and bright; All of these, br O all of these, br Shall bring her Love's delight. br But orchids growing snakey green br Speckled dark with blood, br And fallen leaves that curled and shrank br And rotted in the mud, br With blistering nettles burning harsh br And blinding thorns above; br All of these, O all of these br Shall bring the pains of Love. br Shall bring the pains of Love, my Puss, br That cease not night or day, br The bitter rage, nought can assuage br Till it bleeds the heart away. br Pillycock mine, my hands are full br My pot is on the fire. br Purr, my pet, this fool shall get br Her fool's desire.