THE BESOM-MAN Did you see Paidin, Paidin, the besom-man, Last night as you came by Over the mountain? A barth of new heather He bore on his shoulder, And a bundle of whitlow-grass Under his oxter. I spied him as he passed Beyond the carn head, But no eye saw him At the hill foot after. What has come over him? The women are saying. What can have crossed Paidin, the besom-man? The bogholes he knew As the curlews know them, And the rabbits' pads, And the derelict quarries. He was humming a tune -- The "Enchanted Valley" -- As he passed me westward Beyond the carn. I stood and I listened, For his singing was strange: It rang in my ears The long night after. What has come over Paidin, the besom-man? What can have crossed him? The women keep saying. They talk of the fairies -- And, God forgive me, Paidin knew them Like his prayers! Will you fetch word Up to the cross-roads If you see track of him, Living or dead? The boys are loafing With game or caper; And the dark piper Is gone home with the birds. -- Joseph Campbell (1879-1944) Besom=broom Oxter=arm