104
WESTERN RESERVE STUDIES
With many a shriek and cry whiz round
The birds of midnight, scared;
And rustling like autumnal leaves
Unhallow'd ghosts were heard.
The birds of midnight, scared;
And rustling like autumnal leaves
Unhallow'd ghosts were heard.
O'er many a tomb and tomb-stone pale
He spurr'd the fiery horse,
Till sudden at an open grave
He check'd the wondrous course.
He spurr'd the fiery horse,
Till sudden at an open grave
He check'd the wondrous course.
The falling gauntlet quits the rein,
Down drops the casque of steel,
The cuirass leaves his shrinking side,
The spur his gory heel.
Down drops the casque of steel,
The cuirass leaves his shrinking side,
The spur his gory heel.
The eyes desert the naked skull,
The mould'ring flesh the bone,
Till Helen's lily arms entwine
A ghastly skeleton.
The mould'ring flesh the bone,
Till Helen's lily arms entwine
A ghastly skeleton.
The furious barb snorts fire and foam;
And with a fearful bound
Dissolves at once in empty air,
And leaves her on the ground.
And with a fearful bound
Dissolves at once in empty air,
And leaves her on the ground.
Half seen by fits, by fits half heard,
Pale spectres fleet along;
Wheel round the maid in dismal dance,
And howl the fun'ral song:
Pale spectres fleet along;
Wheel round the maid in dismal dance,
And howl the fun'ral song:
"E'en when the heart 's with anguish cleft,
Revere the doom of Heav'n.
Her soul is from her body reft;
Her spirit be forgiv'n."
Revere the doom of Heav'n.
Her soul is from her body reft;
Her spirit be forgiv'n."
