John Hunter-Duvar (1821–1899)

THE MOUNTAIN peaks put on their hoods.

Good night!

And the long shadows of the woods

Would fain the landscape cover quite.

The timid pigeons homeward fly,

Scared by the whoop-owl’s eerie cry,

Whoo-oop! whoo-oop!

As like a fiend he flitteth by;

The ox to stall, the fowl to coop,

The old man to his nightcap warm,

Young men and maids to slumbers light.

Sweet Mary, keep our souls from harm!

Good night! good night!