A Witch Exposed-Edmund Spenser

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A WITCH EXPOSED

A Knight, turned into a tree by the witch Duessa, tell his tale

Thens forth I took Duessa for my Dame,

And in the witch vnweeting ioyd long time,

Ne euer wist, but that she was the same,

Till on a day (that day is euery Prime,

When Witches wont do penace for their crime)

I chaunst to see her in her proper hew,

Bathing he selfe in origane and thyme:

A filthy foule old woman I did deadly rew.

Her neather partes misshapen, monstrous,

Were hidd in water, that I could not see,

But they did seeme more foule and hideous,

Then a woman shape man would beleeue to bee.

Thens forth forth from her most beastly companie

I gan refrain, in minds to slip away,

Soone as appeared safe opportunities:

For danger great, if not assur'd decay

I saw before mine eyes, if I were known to stray.

The diuelish hag by chaungese of my cheare

Perceiu'd my thought and drownd in sleepie night,

With wicked herbs and ointments did besmeare

My bodie all, through charmes and magicke might,

That all my senses were bereaued quight;

Then brought she me into this desert waste,

And by my wretched louers side me pight,

Where now enclosed in wooden walls full faste,

Banisht from liuing wights, our wearie dayes 

we waste...

Edmund Spenser