[In the form of traditional folk ballad.] br br I br br In Blackburn Wood a maid betrothed br that rode a garlanded mare br by cutthroat maimed for maidenhood br writhed in crimson there. br br Dislimbed beneath a shrieking sun br and left for carrion-kite, br the savaged maid survived their beaks, br and slithered into night. br br II br br By summer's end, to Blackburn Wood br a sheath of night returned; br beneath its hood and tapered robe br maiden vengeance burned. br br 'Disrobe and yield or fall in blood, br this blade rejects all pleas: br I leave a maid a looping asp br that will not lift her knees.' br br 'I'll shed my robe and hood that am br no maid to fear such thing; br to chill your blazing blood I bear br a maiden's righteous sting.' br br br III br br A lethal hiss cut short his grunts, br bestial snarl hardened to stone, br as ramping venom drained him faint br and pale as weathered bone. br br Up from a clump of blasted weeds br there rose in mid-day light br from cutthroat's ribs and skull, pecked clean, br a flock of swollen kite. br br A field away a sheath of scales, br resembling robe and hood, br curled round a broken garland br redeemed in Blackburn Wood. br br br br *(Lamia in Greek myth is a serpent with the head br and breasts of a woman.