Fakenham Ghost

Benighted was an ancient dame,
And fearful haste she made
To gain the vale of Fakenham,
And hail its willow shade.

Her footsteps knew no idle stops,
But followed faster still;
And echo'd to the darksome copse
That whispered on the hill.

Darker it grew, and darker fears
Came o'er her troubled mind;
When now, a short quick step hears
Came patting close behind.

She turned; it stopt! naught could she see
Upon the gloomy plain!
But as she strove the Sprite to flee,
She heard the same again.

Yet once again amidst her fright,
She tried what sight could do;
When through the cheating glooms of night -
A Monster stood in view!

On she sped and hope grew strong,
The white park gate in view;
Which pushing hard - so long it swung,
That Ghost and all passed through.

Loud fell the gate against the post!
Her heart strings like to crack:
For much she feared the grisly ghost
Would leap upon her back.

Still on, pat, pat, the Goblin went,
As it had done before -
Her strength and resolution spent;
She fainted at the door.

Out came her husband much surprised,
Out came her daughter dear;
Good natured souls! All unadvised
Of what they had to fear.

The candle's gleam pierced through the night,
Some short space o'er the green;
And there the little trotting sprite
Distinctly might be seen.

An Ass's Foal had lost his dam
Within the spacious park;
And simple as the playful lamb
Had followed in the dark.

No Goblin he; no imp of sin;
No crimes had ever known.
They took the shaggy stranger in
And reared him as their own.

Many a laugh went through the vale;
And some conviction too -
Each thought some other Goblin tale,
Perhaps was just as true.