Witch, I whisper. Beautiful is she Among the dappled woodlands of the night. She stands before the altar, radiant sight, A stunning priestess of the Goddess Three. Witch, they hiss, in streets of filthy towns At she who brought the herbs and healed the child. They wanted drafts of love and potions wild But now make signs behind their velvet gowns. Witch, they laugh, you'll talk before we're through. You'll tell us what you did and who you saw. You'll tell us how you followed Satan's law. Give the rack another turn or two. Witch, they growl, from courtroom bench on high At the broken lady driven near insane By priestly tests and tortures, bent in pain. Witch, they shout, tomorrow you will die! Witch, they sneer, and laughing pile the wood About the chains which hold the priestess tight Against the stake. She waits in quaking fright Who proud before the pagan altar stood. Witch, She whispers. In Her gentle arm The Goddess holds my lady safe tonight. The pagan priestess sleeps in Goddess light At last beyond the Inquisition's harm.