The Robbers — Madness

Tis night tis midnight — hark the horses tramp
Comes plashing through the old heaths hollow swamp
We tied the gate — O ere that gate we tied
Or held that weapon would that I had died
The traveller heard our whistle shrill & clear
& muttered — " Poachers — come on Dobbin never fear"
The horse could see us at the wood gate stand
& snorted at the weapon in my hand
But the old farmer checkt the trembling steed
To try the gate — & midnight knew the deed
The shot was fired — dead silence paused — then groans
That would have fretted human hearts to stones
& that last groan of uttermost despair
I hear it now — or did I stir the chair
That last groan waked an eccho which I hear
Now & for ever — here & every where
A howl — a shriek — a hoarse unearthly call
Twas this & that & all made up of all
Just from our lair it came within the wood
" Theyre mine theyve sealed the bond in death & blood"
The gun dropt from my hand & where it fell
The ground seemed opening like the mouth of hell
I was not drunk but sober all yet fear
Could see that sight & still that sound could hear
& tho I stopt my ears & held my breath
The wind & grass & bushes muttered " death"
Do good & good shall come the parson said
But I was poaching while he preached or read
& when he read his lessons & his prayers
My mind was busy after dogs & hares
— Do good & good shall come — I know it now
O could I whipe this murther from my brow
& good had come but harm blocks all the way
& I must suffer — for I cannot pray
Look theres the wood gate — dont you see it tied
Untie it now — & throw that gun aside
No alls too late — you help me all in vain
Blood will for ever on its bands remain
I hear the groan again — the mid night yell
Guns may go off half cocked — but ere mine fell
The shot was fired — yet when it met the ground
A sputtering fire one moment blazed around
Trees trembled to their trunks a dreadful sign
When that unearthly hoarseness muttered " mine"
I hear't again O whipe that stain away
That stains that dismal place this very day
Nay chop the bushes up they speak so loud
Look now tis there upon that dismal cloud
A jiant — no a monster sails — look there
Hell swallow up the moon stars all — beware
He hears the muttering guns well never fear
Tis but a Hare the crime is not severe
There now tis changed a dragon from his hole
His body black his head a burning coal
O what a horrid picture dont you see
He darts his venom fangs & mocks at me
Ah thats the horrid demon of the heath
Chop down those trees I choke for want of breath
Nay take that bullet out — twill burst the gun
The Guns not bursted — but the deed is done
Grub up the bushes " death" they sighd & sighd
I stopt my ears to hear he groand — & dyed
The Robbers wife had all that women heir
A form all lovely & a face so fair
In natures sunny lap she seemed as nurst
Untill the robber into misery curst
Her poor forsaken presence — wonder stared
On that sweet face that sorrow sadly marred
& marvelled how a flower of winning grace
Could trust itself in such a dangerous place
As the affections of a robbers heart
But in loves faith suspision bears no part
They could not feel while wasting idle breath
That love like ivy clings to life & death
Yet when the laws desision met her ears
The last hope that propt up all her fears
So young so beautiful she was not born
To stand against the worlds down trampling scorn
Rich beauty neer was made for thorny ways
That only blooms & thrives on smiles & praise
It could not bear the withering frowns of scorn
As well might blossoms bear a frosty morn
It withered into death for nothing done
& shunned her life that had no sin to shun
Then pitys hand was held before its eyes
& scorn itself grew tender in disguise
So young so beautiful — & thus to die
So pity sighed — scorn uttered no reply
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