"Boy! I had loved her too--nay, more, 'Twas I who loved her first; For months--for years--the golden thought Within my soul was nursed; He came--he conquered--they were wed-- My air-blown bubble burst! "Then on my mind a shadow fell, And evil hopes grew rife; The damning thought stuck in my heart, And cut me like a knife, That she, whom all my days I loved, Should be another's wife! "I left my home--I left the land-- I crossed the raging sea; In vain--in vain--where'er I turned, My memory went with me; My whole existence, night and day, In memory seemed to be. "I came again, I found them here-- Thou'rt like thy father, boy-- He doted on that pale face there, I've seen them kiss and toy-- I've seen him locked in her fond arms, Wrapped in delirious joy! "By Heaven! it was a fearful thing, To see my brother now, And mark the placid calm that sat Forever on his brow, That seemed in bitter scorn to say, I am more loved than thou! "He disappeared--draw nearer, child!-- He died--no one knew how; The murdered body ne'er was found, The tale is hushed up now; But there was one who rightly guessed The hand that struck the blow. "It drove her mad--yet not his death-- No--not his death alone; For she had clung to hope, when all Knew well that there was none; No, boy! it was a sight she saw That froze her into stone! "I am thy uncle, child--why stare So frightfully aghast?-- The arras waves, but know'st thou not 'Tis nothing but the blast? I, too, have had my fears like these, But such vain fears are past. "I'll show thee what thy mother saw-- I feel 'twill ease my breast, And this wild tempest-laden night Suits with the purpose best. Come hither--thou hast often sought To open this old chest. "It has a secret spring; the touch Is known to me alone; Slowly I raise the lid, and now-- What see you, that you groan So heavily? That thing is but A bare-ribbed skeleton." A sudden crash--the lid fell down-- Three strides he backward gave, "Oh, God! it is my brother's self Returning from the grave! His grasp of lead is on my throat-- Will no one help or save?" That night they laid him on his bed, In raving madness tossed; He gnashed his teeth, and with wild oaths Blasphemed the Holy Ghost; And, ere the light of morning broke, A sinner's soul was lost. VI SCENES FROM THE DRAMA