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And in its scattered flow the fire's rust gleamed,
But ever deeper into darkness sank.
At length, as though it gave the sign of death,
One last great ring of light shot forth its blaze;
And in this blaze were seen the eyes of Alf,
All white in death, and now the light was dark.

And at this moment through the tower walls pierced
A sudden cry,^[1] strong, lengthened, broken off—
From whose breast came it? Surely ye can guess
But he who heard it readily might tell,
That from the breast whence such a cry escaped.
Now never more should any voice come forth.
For this voice a whole life spoke aloud.

Thus lute strings, shuddering from a heavy stroke,
Vibrate and burst; in their confusèd sounds
They seem to voice the first notes of a song.
But of such song let none expect the end.

Such be my singing of Aldona's fate.
Let music's angel sing it through in heaven,
And thou, O tender reader, in thy soul.

1. Note 16