XIV "More know I not, I wish I did, 145 And it should all be told to you; [17] For what became of this poor child No mortal ever knew; [18] Nay--if a child to her was born No earthly tongue could ever tell; [19] 150 And if 'twas born alive or dead, Far less could this with proof be said; [20] But some remember well, That Martha Ray about this time Would up the mountain often climb. 155 XV "And all that winter, when at night The wind blew from the mountain-peak, 'Twas worth your while, though in the dark, The churchyard path to seek: For many a time and oft were heard 160 Cries coming from the mountain head: Some plainly living voices were; And others, I've heard many swear, Were voices of the dead: I cannot think, whate'er they say, 165 They had to do with Martha Ray. XVI "But that she goes to this old Thorn, The Thorn which I described [21] to you, And there sits in a scarlet cloak, I will be sworn is true. 170 For one day with my telescope, To view the ocean wide and bright, When to this country first I came, Ere I had heard of Martha's name, I climbed the mountain's height:-- 175 A storm came on, and I could see No object higher than my knee. XVII "'Twas mist and rain, and storm and rain: No screen, no fence could I discover; And then the wind! in sooth, [22] it was 180 A wind full ten times over. I looked around, I thought I saw A jutting crag,--and off I ran, Head-foremost, through the driving rain, The shelter of the crag to gain; 185 And, as I am a man, Instead of jutting crag, I found A Woman seated on the ground. XVIII "I did not speak--I saw her face; Her face!--it was [23] enough for me: 190 I turned about and heard her cry, 'Oh misery! oh misery!' And there she sits, until the moon Through half the clear blue sky will go; And, when the little breezes make 195 The waters of the pond to shake, As all the country know, She shudders, and you hear her cry, 'Oh misery! oh misery!'"