Classic Poem

Nick speared the salmon by the torch's flare;
And then he turned, and saw the keeper there:
But, close behind the keeper, stood Nick's mate,
With cudgel lifted: and Nick dropped, too late,
The sizzling torch into the Deadman's Pool.
Nick heard a splash; and knew the meddling fool
Had followed; and two flames were quenched that night
In those black waters: and Nick took to flight.

But, ten years after, once again Nick found
Himself at midnight, crouching on the ground
Beside the Pool: and then, with startled eyes,
Watched the dead keeper from the water rise,
A sheeny spectre, beckoning with one hand,
And in the other bearing a pale brand
Of ghostly flame. Their eyes met; and Nick rose,
And, tottering, fell; and felt the waters close
With a low hollow chuckle overhead:
And nevermore the Pool gave up its dead