284
THE OMEN.
But pledge we her health." Each one took up,
In that ancient hall, the red wine-cup:
Each started back from the turbid wine—
What could have dimm'd its purple shine?
Each turn'd for his neighbour's look to express
The augury himself dared not to guess.
Swept the vaulted roof along,
A sound like the echo of distant song,
When the words are lost, but you know they tell
Of sorrow's coming, and hope's farewell.
Such sad music could only bear
Tale and tidings of long despair.
Pass'd the sound from the ancient hall;
You heard in the distance its plaining fall,
Till it died away on the chill night-wind:
But it left its fear and its sadness behind;
