AT ODDS

A tall gaunt man wrapped a dark shall o'er his head

and his feet did heavily tread

till he came to a town named 'noise'

where he was much praised for his poise,

when the heavy clatter of his feet they heard 

and he was rewarded with cows numbering a herd

he and his newly acquired wealth walked gayly on

till they came to a town silent on every turn

and his cows began to make such a din

for they were not accustomed to the scene

the inhabitants stole softly out with wrath

and the cows were nought

for they were used in the rites

used to appease the gods at night.