Lenora.

"Dearest , dost fear ? The moon is high ! Hurra ! the dead can swiftly fly ! Dost fear the dead , my own love ? " " Nay—leave the dead alone , love . " What sound is that of clang and knell ? Why do the ravens flutter ?

Hark , the death-song ! and tollsthebel !! " Bury the corpse " they utter ! A funeral train was coming near ; They bore the coffin and the bier : The hymn , the croak resembled Of frogs in ponds assembled .

" After midnight inter the dead With knell and lamentation ; Now , my young wife I homeward lead With bridal celebration . Come , sexton , with thy choral throng , And drawl us out thy bridal song !

Come , gabble , priest , thy blessing , E ' er tow ' rds the couch we ' re pressing . " The clang was still'd ; vanish'd the bier , Obedient to his calling : Ancl all beside—less and less near Behind his horse was falling . And further—faster still—the steed

Flies like the wind with whistling speed ; The horse ancl rider quivering , The sparks and pebbles flying . And left ancl right , how swift in flight Pass ' cl hedgestreesand mountains ;

, , How flew on right , and left , and right , Towns , villages , ancl fountains . "Dearest ! dost fear ? The moon is high ! Hurra ! the dead can swiftly fly ! Dost fear the dead , my own love ? " "Ah , leave the dead alone , love !"

See there ! about the gallows hei ght Round the wdieel ' s axle prancing - , Seen dimly in the pale moonli ght A shadowy mob is dancing , " Halloo—there ! Rabble ! Ho ! come here ! Come , mob , with me—and follow near ! Our wedding-dance be skipping When we to bed are tripping . "

Ancl quickly on the mob did rush Behind them noisy-clattering , As whirlwinds through the hazel-bush Send dowrn the dry leaves pattering : Ancl further—faster still—the steed Flies like the wind , with whistling speed ; The horse ancl rider quivering , And sparks and pebbles shivering .

Howflew they in the moon ' s wide light , Soon into distance speeding ! And over head , how quick in flight Were heavens and stars receding . "Dearest ! dost fear ? The moon is high ! Hurra ! the dead can swiftly fly ! Dost fear the dead , my own love ? " " Oh , leave the dead alone , love ! "

" My steed ! methinks the cock doth crow ; The sand is just expended ; My steed ! the morning air , I know—Quick , hence ! our course is ended : Achiev ' cl , achiev'd now is our ride ! The nuptial chamber opens wide ! The dead ride swiftly striving 1 The goal , the goal's arriving ! "

And swiftl y tow ' rds an iron grate With tearing speed they thnnder'd : With a slight switch he strikes the gate , Ancl lock ancl bolt is sunder'd . The doors unfolded , creaking wide , And over graves still on they ride , With tombstones round them gleaming On which the moon is beaming .

Look ! in the twinkling of an eye , Ho ! ho !—a ghastly wonder ; Piecemeal the rider ' s garments lie Like tinder shred asunder . A skull , of tuft ancl queue bereft , A naked skull alone is left ! A skeleton before her Holds scythe and sand-glass o ' er her !

The black horse wildly snorts ancl rears , Ancl breathes forth sjiarks ; ancl shrinking From underneath them , disappears , Quick vanishing and sinking . Wild howling fills the welkin round , And groans from the deep grave

resound . Lenora ' s heart , just shivering , 'Twixt life and death is quivering .

Ancl now beneath the moon ' s pale glance , Round in a circle scowling , Link' clhancl in hand , the spectres dance , Ancl to this tune are howling : "Forbear ! forbear ! though breaks the heart ,

'Gainst God in heaven take no part . Now from th y body sever , — God save thy soul for ever ! "