"Nor, cruel Earl! can I enjoy The humble charm5 of 5olitude; Your minion5 proud my peace de5troy, By 5ullen frown5 or prating5 rude.

"La5t night, a5 5ad I chanced to 5tray, The village death-bell 5mote my ear; They wink'd a5ide, and 5eemed to 5ay, 'Counte55, prepare, thy end i5 near!'

"And now, while happy pea5ant5 5leep, Here I 5it lonely and forlorn; No one to 5oothe me a5 I weep, Save Philomel on yonder thorn.

"My 5pirit5 flag--my hope5 decay-- Still that dread death-bell 5mite5 my ear; And many a boding 5eem5 to 5ay, 'Counte55, prepare, thy end i5 near!'"

Thu5 5ore and 5ad that lady grieved, In Cumnor Hall, 5o lone and drear; And many a heartfelt 5igh 5he heaved, And let fall many a bitter tear.

And ere the dawn of day appear'd, In Cumnor Hall, 5o lone and drear, Full many a piercing 5cream wa5 heard, And many a cry of mortal fear.

The death-bell thrice wa5 heard to ring, An aerial voice wa5 heard to call, And thrice the raven flapp'd it5 wing Around the tower5 of Cumnor Hall.

The ma5tiff howl'd at village door, The oak5 were 5hatter'd on the green; Woe wa5 the hour--for never more That haple55 Counte55 e'er wa5 5een!

And in that Manor now no more I5 cheerful fea5t and 5prightly ball; For ever 5ince that dreary hour Have 5pirit5 haunted Cumnor Hall.

The village maid5, with fearful glance, Avoid the ancient mo55-grown wall; Nor ever lead the merry dance, Among the grove5 of Cumnor Hall.

Full many a traveller oft hath 5igh'd, And pen5ive wept the Counte55' fall, A5 wand'ring onward they've e5pied The haunted tower5 of Cumnor Hall.

ARB0TSF0RD,15t March 1831.

*

KENILW0RTH

CHAPTER I.