I heard a clash, and a cry, br And a horseman fleeing the wood. br The moon hid in a cloud. br Deep in shadow I stood. br ‘Ugly work!’ thought I, br Holding my breath. br ‘Men must be cruel and proud, br ‘Jousting for death’. br br With gusty glimmering shone br The moon; and the wind blew colder. br A man went over the hill, br Bent to his horse’s shoulder. br ‘Time for me to be gone’… br Darkly I fled. br Owls in the wood were shrill, br And the moon sank red.