"The banshee of Elmendor" by Christopher Benson Manica

Above the lonely streets of Elmendor
the ruins lie of Castle Miri-lee,
Where Hannah Miri-lee dwells ever more
not as flesh and blood, but the dreadful banshee.

Once Hannah was a maiden fair and bold -
like a cat's her step was lithe and swift,
her flowing hair gleamed like sun-lent gold
and her blue eyes twinkled like the night sky's gift.

The lord of Miri-lee loved his daughter fair
and in his castle proud she wanted not,
But less than jewels and might he placed her care
and set her as a calf for sale and bought.

To Elmendor one day there came a queen
who called herself the Witch of Hoarwood Fen.
A withered hag of spite and guile was she,
and learn'ed named her age nine score and ten.

She brought with her a prince of charming mien:
His words were honey and his smile was gay,
but his dark-eyed glance was cold and keen -
upon its scales the use of men it weighed.

The lord of Miri-lee knew the Witch's price -
the hand of Hannah fair in bitter troth;
The hag, her part, to grant blessings thrice:
The spells of wealth, of life, and subtle thought.

Without delay the lord began the feast,
but one chance his plans had reckoned not:
Hannah in despair departed East,
a haven from the lord and queen she sought.

When the queen of Hannah's deed had learned,
she laid a curse upon Lord Miri-lee:
"The kin of Miri-lee this doom have earned:
Their daughter fair shall perish by the sea,

"And with her Elmendor shall also die,
and never harbor man or beast again,
and she shall cry when each death's nigh!
Thus speak I, the Witch-queen of the Fen."

And not for any pleading would she stay
the dreadful doom she put to Elmendor,
and upon that very day they say
the heart of Hannah fair did beat no more!

And each day hence a living man did die
and last to pay was Miri-lee himself -
And heralded each death the mournful cry
of Hannah fair, as the witch-queen did foretell.

Still, on the newly born moon's darkest night
and when the winter wind cleaves plain and sea,
If men of stout hearts listen well they might
hear the cry of Hannah Miri-lee.