KENILWORTH.
xv
Thus sore and sad that lady grieved,
In Cumnor Hall, so lone and drear;
And many a heartfelt sigh she heaved,
And let fall many a bitter tear.
In Cumnor Hall, so lone and drear;
And many a heartfelt sigh she heaved,
And let fall many a bitter tear.
And ere the dawn of day appear’d,
In Cumnor Hall, so lone and drear,
Full many a piercing scream was heard,
And many a cry of mortal fear,
In Cumnor Hall, so lone and drear,
Full many a piercing scream was heard,
And many a cry of mortal fear,
The death-bell thrice was heard to ring,
An aerial voice was heard to call,
And thrice the raven flapp’d its wing
Around the towers of Cumnor Hall.
An aerial voice was heard to call,
And thrice the raven flapp’d its wing
Around the towers of Cumnor Hall.
The mastiff howl’d at village door,
The oaks were shatter’d on the green;
Woe was the hour—for never more
That hapless Countess e’er was seen!
The oaks were shatter’d on the green;
Woe was the hour—for never more
That hapless Countess e’er was seen!
And in that Manor now no more
Is cheerful feast and sprightly ball;
For ever since that dreary hour
Have spirits haunted Cumnor Hall.
Is cheerful feast and sprightly ball;
For ever since that dreary hour
Have spirits haunted Cumnor Hall.
The village maids, with fearful glance,
Avoid the ancient moss-grown wall;
Nor ever lead the merry dance,
Among the groves of Cumnor Hall.
Avoid the ancient moss-grown wall;
Nor ever lead the merry dance,
Among the groves of Cumnor Hall.
Full many a traveller oft hath sigh’d,
And pensive wept the Countess’ fall,
As wand’ring onwards they’ve espied
The haunted towers of Cumnor Hall.
And pensive wept the Countess’ fall,
As wand’ring onwards they’ve espied
The haunted towers of Cumnor Hall.
Abbotsford,
1st March, 1831.
