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THE CONISTON CURSE.
There was revelling in that stately hall, and in his seat of pride
The Lord of Coniston was placed, with his lady by his side;
And four fair children there were ranged beside their parents' knee,
All glad and beautiful—a sight for weary eyes to see.
Rang the old turrets with the pledge —"Now health to thee and thine;
And long and prosperous may thy name last in thy gallant line!"
When a voice rose up above them all, and that voice was strange and shrill,
Like autumn's wind when it has caught winter's first shriek and chill;
