The Witches' Warning

The earl looked seaward over his walls;But all he saw was a wreath of mist,And a little black cloud, by the white moon kissed:So he turned again to his lighted halls.But the wreath of mist hid an enemy's ships,As it slowly crept with them into the bay;And the little cloud rolled up, ragged and grey,With livid lightning between its lips.A levin-bolt split the castle keep,And opened a way for the enemy's sword;But the Earl still smiled at the witches' wordWhen they killed him in his sleep.