outside the city walls where the darkest thickets grow returning home from foreign lands we dreamt of our near homes when at once we heard a hissing was it a devil or a snake had we heard the sounds of laughter that dangerous women make three hags our way stood staring they beckoned us their way we followed them along a hidden path towards their dwelling place inside a fire was burning and a table had been laid they offered us a strange brew with a devil of a taste my friend and i we had great thirst we drank our cups bone dry but stranger yet was the drink s effect it s witchery i cried eye of newt and mandrake root the devil s foot in brine a fever dream took hold of me souls danced before my eyes my treachery my wicked lusts the many stolen wives the souls of those whom i had wronged shared tales of my past crimes indeed i was not all alone to hear their strangled cries my fellow and these sisters through this my guild surmised and lo i saw what must be done for the gallows called my name i d cut its tongue under a demon sun yea in good health i d remain in a flash i drew my dagger and my fellow screamed with pain then i turned upon the sisters to them i did the same at once the room it filled with blood and the horror of their cries this night a murder banquet a feast of ruined lives possessed were they with fortune s gift and yet they were surprised three sisters should have better known than to let this devil inside