(T HE Black D OG .)

A LEGEND OF PEEL CASTLE .

T HE Castle clock had struck the midnight hour,
The warder slept upon the high watch-tower,
And all was still on land and sea.
The soldiers sat around the guard-room fire,
And heard the Minstrel play upon the lyre
Proud songs of war and bravery.

The music ceased, all dim the cresset burned,
Towards the secret door all eyes were turned
Where glared the eyes of Moddey Doo.
Then spake the Bard — " Who is the bravest man
Of this brave host? — As foremost of the van
Let him the Devil-Dog pursue! "

Then Juan Quayle stood up and said — " I'll go!
Or dog or devil, I defy the foe! "
Thus spake he, drew his sword, and went.
In breathless silence sat the company
To think what might befall, when suddenly
With hideous yells the air was rent.

At last, all pale, their comrade hastened back
With broken sword and bleeding head, alack!
His face and limbs convulsed with pain.
They gave him spirit and they gave him ale,
But all their efforts were of no avail —
Struck dumb, he never spake again!

To-day the dwellers near St. Patrick's Isle,
Beneath the shadow of the mouldering pile,
Relate — 'tis passing strange but true —
How, when the waves at midnight lash the shore,
There mingles with the angry tempest's roar
The dismal howl of Moddey Doo.