I. br br Thou dread, uncanny thing, br With fuzzy breast and leathern wing, br In mad, zigzagging flight, br Notching the dusk, and buffeting br The black cheeks of the night, br With grim delight! br br II. br br What witch's hand unhasps br Thy keen claw-cornered wings br From under the barn roof, and flings br Thee forth, with chattering gasps, br To scud the air, br And nip the lady-bug, and tear br Her children's hearts out unaware? br br III. br br The glow-worm's glimmer, and the bright, br Sad pulsings of the fire-fly's light, br Are banquet lights to thee.