The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson (Vailima ed.)/Volume 8/New Poems/On Some Ghostly Companions at a Spa
CLXXXVI
ON SOME GHOSTLY COMPANIONS AT A SPA
I HAD an evil day when I
To Strathpeffer drew anigh,
For there I found no human soul,
But ogres occupied the whole.
They had at first a human air
In coats and flannel underwear.
They rose and walked upon their feet
And filled their bellies full of meat,
Then wiped their lips when they had done—
But they were ogres every one.
Each issuing from his secret bower
I marked them in the morning hour.
By limp and totter, lisp and droop
I singled each one from the group.
Detected ogres, from my sight
Depart to your congenial night
From these fair vales: from this fair day
Fleet, spectres, on your downward way,
Like changing figures in a dream
To Muttonhole and Pittenweem!
Or, as by harmony divine
The devils quartered in the swine,
If any baser place exist
In God's great registration list—
Some den with wallow and a trough—
Find it, ye ogres, and be off!