They've reached the shore, they've cross'd the sward To where the old portal stands unbarr'd. With courteous steps and bearing high They pass the hollow-eyed porter by, With his torch high over him sweeping. Then might the owls that move by night Have seen thin shadows flit through the light, Where the windows glared along the wall In every chamber of Armboth Hall, And the guests high revel were keeping. Then too from cold and weary ways A traveller's eyes had caught the rays: And wandering on to the silent door He knocked aloud--he knew no more; But the lights went out like winking. A wreath of mist rushed over the Mere, And reached Helvellyn as dawn grew near; And two thin streaks went down the wind O'er Dunmail-Raise with a storm behind, The leaves in Grasmere raking. On Rydal isles the herons awoke; A pattering cloud by Wansfell broke; And the grey cock stretched his neck to crow In Calgarth roost, that ghosts might know It was time for maids to be waking. The skeletons two rushed through the yard, They pushed the door they left unbarr'd, Laid by their skulls in the niched wall, And flew like wind from Calgarth Hall Where still the round porter sat sleeping. As out they rattled, the wind rushed in And slamm'd the doors with a terrible din; The grey cock crew; the dogs were raised; And the old porter rubb'd his eyes amazed At the dawn so coldly breaking. And lying at morn by Armboth gate Was found the form that knocked so late; A traveller footworn, mired, and grey, Who, led by marsh lights lost his way, And coldly in death was sleeping. NOTES TO "THE ARMBOTH BANQUET."