The Candle-Sweep

  By Merlin Pendragon

  In the caverns, dark and deep,

  Ye should fear the Candle-Sweep.

  Though thou try to lurk and creep,

  None evade the spreading seep—

  Of darkness black as blackest night;

  Where miners mine and fighters fight

  The death that is this monster, foul,

  That cannae hide beneath the cowl—

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  O’ what be and be not real.

  Illusions do this beast conceal

  A shape unknown to mortal eyes.

  For what is seen, be a disguise.

  The widow sees her long-lost kin,

  The mother, her sweetest thing;

  A child, a husband, a lantern light,

  To ward away the endless night.

  And if thy heart be soft and weak,

  Thou shalt fall for visions sweet.

  And fall upon thine follyous blade;

  Constructions o’ thy mind be made.

  Into the jaws of death ye’ll walk,

  Unknowing of the thing ye’d baulk

  At if ye could but only see:

  The Subterranean Horror:

  The Candle-Sweep.