What shrieking Spirit in that bloody room Its mortal frame had violently quitted?——— Across the sunbeam, with a sudden gloom, A ghostly Shadow flitted. Across the sunbeam, and along the wall, O'er all there hung the shadow of a fear A sense of mystery the spirit daunted, And said, as plain as whisper in the ear, The place is Haunted! THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS. "Drown'd! drown'd!"-HAMLET. ONE more unfortunate, Rashly importunate, Gone to her death! Take her up tenderly, Look at her garments Touch her not scornfully; Make no deep scrutiny Into her mutiny Rash and undutiful: Past all dishonour, Death has left on her Only the beautiful. Still, for all slips of hers, Wipe those poor lips of hers Loop up her tresses Escaped from the comb, Her fair auburn tresses; Whilst wonderment guesses Where was her home? Who was her father? Who was her mother? Had she a sister? Had she a brother? Or was there a dearer one Still, and a nearer one Yet, than all other? Alas! for the rarity Under the sun! Oh! it was pitiful! Near a whole city full, Home she had none. Sisterly, brotherly, Fatherly, motherly Feelings had changed: Love, by harsh evidence, Thrown from its eminence; Even God's providence Seeming estranged. Where the lamps quiver So far in the river, With many a light From window and casement, From garret to basement, She stood, with amazement, The bleak wind of March Made her tremble and shiver; But not the dark arch, Or the black flowing river: Mad from life's history, Glad to death's mystery, Swift to be hurl'd Any where, any where Out of the world! In she plunged boldly, Picture it-think of it, Lave in it, drink of it, Then, if you can! Take her up tenderly, Ere her limbs frigidly Stiffen too rigidly, Decently, kindly,— Smooth, and compose them; And her eyes, close them, Dreadfully staring Perishing gloomily, Spurr'd by contumely, |