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Cottage Roof, Lower Darnley, Prince Edward Island: photo by Jim Rohan, 22 March 2014
The evening gathers from the gloomy woods
And darkling creeps oer silent vale and hill
While the snug village in nights happy moods
Is resting calm and beautifully still
The windows gleam with light the yelping curs
That guards the henroost from the thieving fox
Barks now and then as something passing stirs
And distant dogs the noises often mocks
While foxes from the woods send dismal cries
Like somthing in distress the cottager
Hears the dread noise and thinks of danger nigh
And locks up door in haste -- nor cares to stir
From the snug safety of his humble shed
Then tells strange tales till time to go to bed
JohnClare (1793-1864): Cottage Fears, composed c. 1832-1835