O risible shapeshifter
At the extremities of nature you lurk
In each different guise you skulk

Where on the battlefield death’s laid bare
Where murder and unkindness tread

An attack! Straight for the kill!
The line of sight at your command
Spear and pin kings and queens alike
Four elements, four compass points unite

Foursquare at each quarter, each tower does stand
Earth and air, fire and water
The live and the dead,
Both black and white to the slaughter
O hooded Corvid of the night