The thing, he said, would come in the night at three br From the old churchyard on the hill below; br But crouching by an oak fire's wholesome glow, br I tried to tell myself it could not be. br br Surely, I mused, it was pleasantry br Devised by one who did not truly know br The Elder Sign, bequeathed from long ago, br That sets the fumbling forms of darkness free. br br He had not meant it - no - but still I lit br Another lamp as starry Leo climbed br Out of the Seekonk, and a steeple chimed br Three - and the firelight faded, bit by bit.