All dread alike his frown or smile. None come within his door, Save those who dipp'd their hands in blood with him; Save those who laugh'd to see the white horse swim. "To night's our anniversary; And, mind me, lads, we'll have it kept Their sleep that night, had he be now, who slinks! The words they spoke, we may not speak. Mere mortal man, forbear to seek The secrets of that hell! Their shouts grow loud. T is near mid hour of night. What means upon the water that red light? Not bigger than a star it seems: A ship! and all on fire !-hull, yards and mast! And now she rides, upright and still, Around the cove, on inland hill, All breathes of terror! Men in dumb amaze It scares the sea-birds from their nests. O, sin, what hast thou done on this fair earth? And what comes up above that wave, RICHARD H. DANA. The waking dead!) There on the sea he standsThe spectre-horse-He moves; he gains the sands ! Onward he speeds. His ghostly sides His path is shining like a swift ship's wake; The revel now is high within; As if the sky became a voice, there spread The spirit-steed sent up the neigh. It rang along the vaulted sky: the shore It rang in ears that knew the sound; And hot, flush'd cheeks are blanch'd with fear. Thinks he the drown'd horse near? He drops his cup-his lips are stiff with fright. "I cannot sit. I needs must go: The spell is on my spirit now. I go to dread-I go to wo!" O, who so weak as thou, Strong man!—His hoofs upon the door-stone, see, The shadow stands !-His eyes are on thee, Lee! Thy hair pricks up!" O, I must bear Thou 'rt mad to mount that horse!" A power within, 6 He's now astride the spectre's back, 'Tis fearful speed -the rein is slack Nor doth he touch the shade he strides-upborne He goes with speed: he goes with dread! The horse stops short :-his feet are on the verge. And, nigh, the tall ship yet burns on, Her hot, red flame is beating, all the night, Through that cold light the fearful man And yet he does not speak, or make a sound! What see you, Lee,-the bodies of the drown'd? "I look, where mortal man may not- I see the dead, long, long forgot— I see them in their sleep. A dreadful power is mine, which none can know, Thou mild, sad mother-waning moon, Thy last, low, melancholy ray Shines toward him.--Quit him not so soon! Despair and death are with him; and canst thou, With that kind, earthward look, go leave him now? O, thou wast born for things of love; Whate'er thcu look'st on. Ilosts above, In that soft light of thine, Burn softer:-earth, in silvery veil, seems heaven.- The far, low west is bright no more. But cry of passing bird. Thou living thing,-and dar'st thou come so near These wild and ghastly shapes of death and fear? Now long that thick, red light has shone But now its lurid fire less fiercely burns: That spectre-steed now slowly pales; The morning air blows fresh on him; He doth not hear that joyous call; he sees For he 's accurst from all that's good; Thou stranger to earth's beauty-human love, The hot sun beats upon his head. He stands beneath its broad, fierce blaze, Of some unearthly horror, all he knows- 18 The gull has found her place on shore; But, see, he moves he turns, as asking where Go, get thee home, and end thy mirth! They've fled the isle; and o'er the earth As he his door-stone past, the air blew chill. "There's none to meet me, none to cheer: Would I could hear their shout!" Thou ne'er shalt hear it more-more taste thy wine!— Silent thou sitt'st within the still moonshine. Day came again; and up he rose, No shadowy-coming night, to bring him rest— He walks within the day's full glare Through all the crowd a thrilling horror ran. He turns and curses in his wrath Terror and madness drive him back to men; Time passes on, and he grows bold- |