Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/45

There came to him a serving-maid,
And in her eye a tear:
“Oh, what has happened in the night?
A banshee I did hear!”

There came to him his sister grey,
And stern was her set face:
“A curse upon the wandering feet
That bring our house disgrace!”

But still the proud Earl Roderick
No answer did he make.
But locked his grief within his heart
Until it seemed to break.

He went into his own chamber.
And crouched within his chair.
And lo! when he did raise his head,
Behold I his bride was there!

She stood beside the open door,
Her sad eyes on his face;
But when he sprang to reach her side
He found but empty space.

He mounted up the marble stair
And went her chamber through.
And there he met a serving-lass
With face of deathly hue:

“Oh, I have seen a white ghost walk.
With dim eyes of the dead!
She wrung her hands most piteously
And wept at your bed-head.”

All silent Black Earl Roderick
Went to his room away.
All angry with his throbbing heart
And fitful fancies' play.