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THE GHOST'S PETITION.
After the dark, and before the light,
One lay sleeping; and one sat weeping,
Who had watched and wept the weary night
One lay sleeping; and one sat weeping,
Who had watched and wept the weary night
After the night, and before the day,
One lay sleeping; and one sat weeping
Watching, weeping for one away.
One lay sleeping; and one sat weeping
Watching, weeping for one away.
There came a footstep climbing the stair:
Some one standing out on the landing
Shook the door like a puff of air—
Some one standing out on the landing
Shook the door like a puff of air—
Shook the door and in he passed.
Did he enter? In the room centre
Stood her husband: the door shut fast,
Did he enter? In the room centre
Stood her husband: the door shut fast,
"O Robin, but you are cold—
Chilled with the night-dew: so lily-white you
Look like a stray, lamb from our fold.
Chilled with the night-dew: so lily-white you
Look like a stray, lamb from our fold.
"O Robin, but you are late:
Come and sit near me—sit here and cheer me."—
(Blue the flame burnt in the grate.)
Come and sit near me—sit here and cheer me."—
(Blue the flame burnt in the grate.)
"Lay not down your head on my breast:
I cannot hold you, kind wife, nor fold you
In the shelter that you love best.
I cannot hold you, kind wife, nor fold you
In the shelter that you love best.
"Feel not after my clasping hand:
I am but a shadow, come from the meadow
Where many lie, but no tree can stand.
I am but a shadow, come from the meadow
Where many lie, but no tree can stand.
