Weary went the old Witch,
Weary of her pack.
She sat her down by the churchyard wall. 
And jerked it off her back.

The cord brake, yes, the cord brake.
Just where the dead did lie.
And Charms and Spells and Sorceries 
Spilled out beneath the sky.

Weary was the old Witch;
She rested her old eyes
From the lantern-fruited yew trees.
And the scarlet of the skies ;

And out the dead came stumbling.
From every rift and crack.
Silent as moss, and plundered 
The gaping pack.

They wish them, three times over.
Away they skip full soon :
Bat and Mole and Leveret,
Under the rising moon;

Owl and Newt and Nightjar:
They take their shapes and creep 
Silent as churchyard lichen.
While she squats asleep.

All of these dead were stirring:
Each unto each did call,
“ A Witch, a "Witch is sleeping 
Under the churchyard wall ;

“A Witch, a Witch is sleeping . .
The shrillness ebbed away ;
And up the way-worn moon clomb bright, 
Hard on the track of day.

She shone, high, wan, and silvery ;
Day’s colours paled and died :
And, save the mute and creeping worm. 
Nought else was there beside

Names may be writ; and mounds rise; 
Purporting, Here be bones :
But empty is that church, yard 
Of all save stones.

Owl and Newt and Nightjar,
Leveret, Bat, and Mole 
Haunt and call in the twilight 
Where she slept, poor soul