The murderer's curse, the dead man's fix'd, still glare, On pale, dead men, on burning cheek, Lee look'd. "They sleep so sound," he, laughing, sa "They 'll scarcely wake for mistress or for maid." A crash! They've forced the door, and then From worse than death thy suffering, helpless child! It ceased.-with speed o' th' lightning's flash, She's sleeping in her silent cave, Thou soon hast reach'd!--Fair, unpolluted thing! O, no!-To live when joy was dead; To live the child of wo, yet shed no tear, To look on man, and deem it strange O, this was bitterness!-Death came and prest Why look ye on each other so, And speak no word ?-Ay, shake the head! What fear ye from the dead? They tell no tales; and ye are all true men; But wash away that blood; then, home again!— 'Tis on your souls; it will not out! I mind not blood.--But she-I cannot tell! "And when it pass'd there was no tread! Went down these depths? How dark they look, and cold! She's yonder! stop her!-Now!—there !—hold, man, hold!" They gazed upon his ghastly face. "What ails thee, Lee; and why that glare?" -"Look! ha, 'tis gone, and not a trace! No, no, she was not there! Who of you said ye heard her when she fell? 'Twas strange -I'll not be fool'd!-Will no one tell?" He paused. As soon the wildness past. To quit us so. 'Tis plain she loved us not; And then the ribald laugh'd. The jest, Note, heaven, their blasphemy, their broken trust! Now slowly up they bring the dead The hungry waves have seized them one by one; Cries Lee, "We must not be betray'd. Strange words, 't is said, an ass once bray'd. We'll throw him on the waves alive! He'll swim; Such sound to mortal ear ne'er came It shook with fear the stoutest frame-- As the waves leave, or lift him up, his cry And through the swift wave's yesty crown Then drifts away; yet all that night they hear O, hadst thou known what deeds were done, The good are in their graves; thou canst not cheer Sin alone is here. "The deed 's complete! The gold is ours! Must fairly share, you know, what's fairly got! There's song, and oath, and gaming deep- "Lee cheats!" cried Jack.--Lee struck him to the heart. "That's foul!" one mutter'd~"Fool! you take your part !— "The fewer heirs the richer, man! Hold forth thy palm, and keep thy prate! What matters, soon or late? Death comes ! "--Ón shore, and ask'd how many died? "That sickness swept near half," said Lee, and sigh'd. Within our bay, one stormy night, The isle's men saw boats make for shore, That flash'd on man and oar. When hail'd, the rowing stopt, and all was dark. "Ha! lantern work! We'll home!--They're playing shark!" Next day, at noon, towards the town, "Thy ship, good Lee?" "Not many leagues from shore Our ship by chance took fire."-They learnt no more. He and his crew were flush of gold. Forsake your evil ways, as we forsook "Wouldst see my log-book? fairly writ, And thus, with flout, and cold and impious jeer, Remorse and fear he drowns in drink. Matt lords it now throughout the isle. His and falls heavier than before. 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 Better with those who slept Their sleep that night, had he be now, who slinks! And health and wealth to him who bravely drinks!" 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, Waking the gloom of night. 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, |