Hallowe’en

I hope the spirits were very kind all over the world last night…

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite
All are on their rounds to-night,—
In the wan moon’s silver ray
Thrives their helter-skelter play.

Fond of cellar, barn, or stack
True unto the almanac,
They present to credulous eyes
Strange hobgoblin mysteries.

Cabbage-stumps—straws wet with dew—
Apple-skins, and chestnuts too,
And a mirror for some lass
Show what wonders come to pass.

Doors they move, and gates they hide
Mischiefs that on moonbeams ride
Are their deeds,—and, by their spells,
Love records its oracles.

Don’t we all, of long ago
By the ruddy fireplace glow,
In the kitchen and the hall,
Those queer, coof-like pranks recall?

Every shadows were they then—
But to-night they come again;
Were we once more but sixteen
 Precious would be Hallowe’en.

Hallowe’en by Joel Benton

Time for the ball! The witches § Време за бал! Вещиците на Роалд Дал

Well, ladies, I am sure you will be quite com-fortable in here,” Mr Stringer’s voice was saying. Then in through the double-doors he marched, black tail-coat and all, spreading his arms wide as he ushered in a great flock of ladies. “If there is anything we can do for you, do not hesitate to let me know,” he went on.
“Tea will be served for all of you on the Sunshine Terrace after you have con-cluded your meeting.” With that, he bowed and scraped himself out of the room as a vast herd of ladies from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children came streaming in. They wore pretty clothes and all of them had hats on their heads.
(…)

In they came, talking their heads off. They began milling round and choosing their seats, and there was a whole lot of stuff like, “Come and sit next to me, Millie dear,” and “Oh, hel-loBeatrice! I haven’t seen you since the last meeting! What an adorable dress you have on!”

The witches, Roald Dahl