Parv Jain

Horror Classics Fantasy

4.0  

Parv Jain

Horror Classics Fantasy

Black Annis (Celtic Folklore)

Black Annis (Celtic Folklore)

2 mins
293


Where down the plain the winding pathway falls

From Glenfield Vill to Lester’s ancient walls,

Nature or Art with imitative power,

Far in the Glenn has placed Black Annis’ Bower.

An oak, the pride of all the mossy dell,

Spread its broad arms above the stony cell;

And many a bush, with hostile thorns, arrayed,

Forbids the secret cavern to invade;

Whilst delving vales each way meander round,

And violet banks with redolence abound.

Here, if the uncouth song of former days

Soil not the page with Falsehood’s artful lays,

Black Annis held her solitary reign,

The dread and wonder of the neighbouring plain.

The shepherd grieved to view his waning flock,

And traced his firstlings to the gloomy rock.

No vagrant children culled (the) flow’rets then,

For infant blood oft stained the gory den.

Not Sparta’s mount, for infant tears renown’d,

Echo’d more frequently the piteous sound.


Oft the gaunt Maid the frantic Mother curs’d,

Whom Britain’s wolf with savage nipple nurs’d;

Whom Lester’s sons beheld, aghast the scene,

Nor dared to meet the Monster of the Green.

This said the soul of mortal man recoiled,

To view Black Annis’ eye, so fierce and wild;

Vast talons, foul with human flesh, there grew

In place of hands, and features livid blue

Glar’d in her visage; while the obscene waist

Warm skins of human victims close embraced.

But Time, then Man more certain, tho’ more slow,

At length ‘gainst Annis drew his sable bow;

The great decree the pious shepherds bless,

And general joy the general fear confessed.

Not without terror they the cave survey,

Where hung the monstrous trophies of her sway:

‘Tis said, that in the rock large rooms were found,

Scoop’d with her claws beneath the flinty ground;

In these the swains her hated body threw,

But left the entrance still to future view,

That children’s children might the tale rehearse,

And bards record it in their tuneful verse.

But in these listless days, the idle bard

Gives to the wind all themes of cold regard;

Forgive, then, if in rough, unpolished song,

An unskilled swain the dying tale prolong.

And you, ye Fair, whom Nature’s scenes delight,

If Annis’ Bower your vagrant steps invite,

Ere the bright sun Aurora’s car succeed,

Or dewy evening quench the thirsty mead,

Forbear with chilling censures to refuse

Some generous tribute to the rustic muse.


A violet or common daisy throw,

Such gifts as Maro’s lovely nymphs bestow;

Then shall your Bard survive the critic’s frown,

And in your smiles enjoy his best renown.


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