NARRATOR: Clouds are whirling, clouds are swirling; though invisible, the moon lights the flying snow while blurring turbid night and sky in one. On and on through broad expanses; Sleigh-bell tinkling—din—din—din . . . Casting fearful, fearful glances at the dark and eerie plain.

RIDER: Driver, hey there!

DRIVER: Can’t go faster. Drifts have blown across the road; heavy for the horses, master, and my lids together glued. For the life of me, beside us, tracks are nowhere to be found. It must be a demon guides us, as he circles round and round. Over there, see him cavorting, blowing, spitting in my face. Look—and now the horse is snorting.

NARRATOR: On the edge of the abyss; like some landmark without substance he stood out against the dark. Then he flashed across the darkness, disappearing like a spark. Clouds are whirling, clouds are swirling; though invisible, the moon lights the flying snow while blurring turbid night and sky in one. No more strength to circle barely, silent falls the little bell.

RIDER: What pulls up the horses?

DRIVER: Surely—stump or wolf? But who can tell?

NARRATOR: Raging blizzards, weeping, blowing; horses snorting in their fear.

DRIVER: See his eyes distinctly glowing, as he capers over there.

NARRATOR: Now the horses speed in frenzy, sleigh-bell tinkling—din—din—din . . .

NARRATOR: Demons whirling, flying, massing, like November leaves in flight.

DRIVER: Crowds of them!

RIDER: Where do they hurry? Why so pitiful their song? Goblin do they haste to bury? Witch to wed they bring along ?

NARRATOR: Clouds are whirling, clouds are swirling; though invisible, the moon lights the flying snow, while blur—

DRIVER: —ring turbid sky and night in one. Swarm on swarm, the demons fly—

RIDER: —ing sweep the sky in end—

DRIVER: —less quest, till their piteous screams and crying rend . . .

NARRATOR: . . . the heart within my breast . . .