Classic Poem

The sun had long set, — 't was a dark rainy night,
The castle gates still open wide,
When on a white courser, in armour all bright,
Came gallopping swiftly a warrior knight,
With buckler and spear by his side.

He leap'd from his horse and enter'd the hall,
Where carousing sat many a guest;
As he stalk'd up and down, at his heavy foot fall,
The ladies turn'd pale, and the knights, one and all,
With terrible fears were opprest.

He seated himself by the side of a maid,
Whose beauty fast faded away:
Her cheek in health's hue was no longer array'd, —
She shrunk from his glance, and that moment was laid
On the earth, a cold body of clay!

The knights were appall'd, and the ladies shriek'd loud —
Unceasing their horrible groans, —
When over the spectre there hover'd a cloud,
That did for a moment his tall figure shroud,
Then left him — a bundle of bones.

The spectre now sprang from the place where he stood, —
That moment was silent all breath:
He pois'd a long shaft, that was cover'd with blood,
Then drew from each bosom a red reeking flood,
And exclaim'd as he did it — I'm Death !

E'en thus will the marrowless monarch appear,
When gaiety 'livens each one:
To health well as sickness he ever is near,
And the heart, warm to-day, may be cold on the bier
Ere to-morrow is cheer'd by the sun!