THE GRANDMOTHER. 265 In the manger with the oxen; and the kings; and soft and slow O'er the middle of the pages guide our fingers as we go, Reading some of that good Latin, speaks to God from us you know. Grandam, see, the light is failing — failing; and upon the hearth, And around the blackened ingle, leaps the shadow in its mirth. Ha! perhaps the sprites are coming! yes, they'll soon be at the door; Wake, oh, wake! and if you're praying, dearest grandam, pray no more; Sure, you do not wish to fright us, you who cheered us aye before? But thine arms are colder, colder; and thine eyes so closed are: 'Twas but lately you did tell us of another world afar; And of heaven you were discoursing, and the grave where people lie -- Told us life was short and fleeting, and of death – that all must die. What is death? dear grandam, tell us what it is. You don't reply! - Long time did those slender voices moan and murmur all alone; Still the aged dame awaked not, though the golden morning shone. 266 THE SKELETON IN ARMOR. Soon was heard the dismal tolling of the solemn funeral bell; Mournfully the air resounded; and, as silent evening fell, One who passed that door half-opened those two little ones espied, With the holy book before them, kneeling at the lone bedside. THE SKELETON IN ARMOR. LONGFELLOW. SPEAK! speak! thou fearful guest! Comest to daunt me! Then from those cavernous eyes As when the northern skies Gleam in December; From the heart's chamber: THE SKELETON IN ARMOR. "I was a Viking old! My deeds, though manifold, "Far in the Northern land, And, with my skates fast bound, "Oft to his frozen lair While from my path the hare Until the soaring lark Sang from the meadow. "But when I older grew, Joining a corsair's crew, O'er the dark sea I flew With the marauders. 267 THE SKELETON IN ARMOR. 66 Bright in her father's hall I asked his daughter's hand, "While the brown ale he quaffed, "She was a Prince's child, I but a Viking wild, And though she blushed and smiled, I was discarded! Should not the dove so white Why did they leave that night 269 |