Lady Waters And The Hooded One

"Will you dance with me, Lady Waters?"

And a bony hand plucked her gown

"Will you dance with me," said the Hooded One

"For the plague has now reached this town."

"No, I'll never dance," says Lady Waters

"For I see that your name is Death."

And beneath her mask she was sweating

At the Hooded One's fetid breath

"Will you dance with me, Lady Waters?

For the fire dies in your grate

And your guests have gone and your lord's asleep

And the plague has reached your estate."

"Then I'll dance with you," says Lady Waters

"For the stars grow pale in the dawn

But I first must get my tiara

For I left it out on the lawn."

"Oh and if you get your tiara,"

And his eyes like coals, they did burn

"You must give me all, and must taste my breath

On the moment that you return."

"Very well," she said from behind her mask

"You must take from me what is mine:

I'll return to you and submit to you."

And the Hooded One, he said "Fine."

She came back to him and took off her mask

And the Hooded One, he recoiled

What he thought was sweat on her face and hands

It turned out to be tiny boils

"You must take from me all I have," she said

"You must take it all with good grace:

For I have the plague on my body

And I have the plague on my face."

Oh the Hooded One took her house and lands

He took every fork, every knife

And he took the plague and he left her there

Without anything but her life