And green forever be the groves, And bright the flowery sod, Where first the child's glad spirit loves F. Hemans CIV MARY, THE MAID OF THE INN WHO HO is yonder poor maniac, whose wildly fixed eyes Seem a heart overcharged to express? She weeps not, yet often and deeply she sighs; No pity she looks for, no alms doth she seek; Through her tatters the winds of the winter blow bleak Yet cheerful and happy, nor distant the day, Poor Mary the Maniac hath been; The traveller remembers who journey'd this way As Mary, the Maid of the Inn. Her cheerful address fill'd the guests with delight She loved, and young Richard had settled the day, But Richard was idle and worthless, and they 'T was in autumn, and stormy and dark was the night, And fast were the windows and door; Two guests sat enjoying the fire that burnt bright, "'T is pleasant,' cried one, 'seated by the fireside To hear the wind whistle without." 'What a night for the Abbey !' his comrade replied, 'Methinks a man's courage would now be well tried, Who should wander the ruins about. 'I myself, like a school-boy, should tremble to hear 'I'll wager a dinner,' the other one cried, 'Will Mary this charge on her courage allow?' His companion exclaimed with a smile; 'I shall win for I know she will venture there now And earn a new bonnet by bringing a bough From the elder that grows in the aisle.' With fearless good-humour did Mary comply, The night was dark, and the wind was high, O'er the path so well known still proceeded the maid, Where the Abbey rose dim on the sight; Through the gateway she enter'd, she felt not afraid, Yet the ruins were lonely and wild, and their shade Seem'd to deepen the gloom of the night. All around her was silent save when the rude blast Over weed-cover'd fragments she fearlessly passed, Where the elder-tree grew in the aisle. Well pleas'd did she reach it, and quickly drew near, And hastily gather'd the bough; When the sound of a voice seem'd to rise on her ear, She paus'd, and she listen'd intently, in fear, And her heart panted painfully now. The wind blew, the hoarse ivy shook over her head, She listen'd, naught else could she hear; The wind fell; her heart sunk in her bosom with dread, For she heard in the ruins distinctly the tread Of footsteps approaching her near. Behind a wide column half breathless with fear That instant the moon o'er a dark cloud shone clear, Then Mary could feel the heart-blood curdle cold; It blew off the hat of the one, and behold, She felt, and expected to die. 'Curse the hat!' he exclaims. Nay, come on till we hide The dead body,' his comrade replies. She beholds them in safety pass on by her side, And fast through the Abbey she flies. She ran with wild speed, she rush'd in at the door, Then her limbs could support their faint burden no more, And exhausted and breathless she sank on the floor, Unable to utter a sound. Ere yet her pale lips could the story impart, Her eyes from that object convulsively start, For what a cold horror then thrill'd through her heart When the name of her Richard she knew. Where the old Abbey stands, on the Common hard by, His gibbet is now to be seen; His irons you still from the road may espy; The traveller beholds them, and thinks with a sigh R. Southey CV Ist Witch. THE WITCHES' MEETING W HEN shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? 2d Witch. When the hurly-burley's done, When the battle 's lost or won: 3d Witch. That will be ere set of sun. 1st Witch. Where the place? 2d Witch. Upon the heath; 3d Witch. There to meet with Macbeth. 1st Witch. I come Grimalkin! All. Paddock calls: - anon Fair is foul, and foul is fair; THE CHARM 1st Witch. Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed. In the poison'd entrails throw. All. In the caldron boil and bake; |