THE BALLAD OF THE LITTLE BLACK HOUND
Who knocks at the Geraldine's door to-night
In the black storm and the rain?
With the thunder crash and the shrieking wind
Comes the moan of a creature's pain.
And once they knocked, yet never a stir
To show that the Geraldine knew;
And twice they knocked, yet never a bolt
The listening Geraldine drew.
And thrice they knocked ere he moved his chair,
And said, “Whoever it be,
I dare not open the door to-night
For a fear that has come to me.”
Three times he rises from out his chair,
And three times he sits him down.
“Now what makes faint this heart of mine?”
He says with a growing frown.
“Now what has made me a coward to-night.
Who never knew fear before?
But I swear the hand of a little child
Keeps pulling me from the door.”
The Geraldine rose from his chair at last
And opened the door full wide;
“Whoever is out in the storm,” said he,
“May in God's name come inside!”
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