Witchwine

Grady McMurtry

3 March 1943

In the sanctum of the Cavern

By a phantom altar, burning

With desires mad and unhuman

Know we but the fiery yearning

Of our hearts that to each other

Cling in fear and wracked devotion;

In the red alembic bubbles

Venom of a lethal potion.

This to feed those who would part us

This to those who cackle “Witch”

This to clergyman and Bishop

Bought with gold by robber rich.

This to barons in their manors

This to hangmen and the cell

This to henchmen of the kingdom

May the silent ghouls feed well.

This to those who inquisition

This to those who damn the free

This to murderers patrician

May they die in agony.

This to merchant, prince and burgher

This to Pope and gilded lord

This to merceners who fatten

On the profits of the sword.

This be secret, dark, and eldritch

This be weapon, charged with worth

This to lift the curse of Mammon

From the peoples of the Urth.

[11]