And as he went his eyes were glazed, Twice, too, he paused like some one dazed And hiccoughed at the moon. Thus thro' the empty ways he passed Until he reached the road at last With fields at either hand, And in the heavens bare and bright The moon stood high and shed her light Upon the silent land. And lo! hard by, a lofty rick, No chance was there of stab or prick, It makes a pleasant bed. And so, within, he burrowed deep, And then upon a fragrant heap He laid his unclean head. The moon was swallowed by a cloud, A nightingale sang sweet and loud From the middle of a wood; From its small body swelled a strain Which flooded all the listening plain.