21 NOVEMBER 1987, Page 44

Who?

The wizards are enchanting, The devils are endearing, Spooks make a silver haunting, Under the moon careering The witches on their brooms are A Hallowe'en, a riot; It is not these who make your Own spirit so unquiet.

For all these are spurious, A mere phantasmagoria; There is a thing more furious Than all satanic hosts are. It wreaks more harm and havoc By crookedness and error; It wears a flesh-and-blood look; It greets you in the mirror.

Gerda Mayer