Muttering he went, said he, by morning light, And much complained of his ill rest by night. This raised suspicion in the pilgrim's mind; } Because all hosts are of an evil kind, } And oft to share the spoil with robbers joined. } His dream confirmed his thought; with troubled look Straight to the western gate his way he took; There, as his dream foretold, a cart he found, That carried compost forth to dung the ground. This when the pilgrim saw, he stretched his throat, And cried out murder with a yelling note. My murdered fellow in this cart lies dead; Vengeance and justice on the villain's head! You, magistrates, who sacred laws dispense, On you I call to punish this offence.-- The word thus given, within a little space, The mob came roaring out, and thronged the place. All in a trice they cast the cart to ground, } And in the dung the murdered body found; } Though breathless, warm, and reeking from the wound. } Good heaven, whose darling attribute we find Is boundless grace, and mercy to mankind, Abhors the cruel; and the deeds of night By wondrous ways reveals in open light: Murder may pass unpunished for a time, But tardy justice will o'ertake the crime. And oft a speedier pain the guilty feels, The hue and cry of heaven pursues him at the heels, Fresh from the fact, as in the present case: } The criminals are seized upon the place; } Carter and host confronted face to face. } Stiff in denial, as the law appoints, On engines they distend their tortured joints; So was confession forced, the offence was known, And public justice on the offenders done. Here may you see that visions are to dread; And in the page that follows this, I read Of two young merchants, whom the hope of gain Induced in partnership to cross the main; Waiting till willing winds their sails supplied, } Within a trading-town they long abide, } Full fairly situate on a haven's side. } One evening it befel, that, looking out, The wind they long had wished was come about; Well pleased they went to rest; and if the gale Till morn continued, both resolved to sail. But as together in a bed they lay, The younger had a dream at break of day. A man, he thought, stood frowning at his side, } Who warned him for his safety to provide, } Nor put to sea, but safe on shore abide. } I come, thy genius, to command thy stay; } Trust not the winds, for fatal is the day, } And death unhoped[179] attends the watry way. } The vision said, and vanished from his sight. The dreamer wakened in a mortal fright; Then pulled his drowsy neighbour, and declared, What in his slumber he had seen and heard. His friend smiled scornful, and, with proud contempt, Rejects as idle what his fellow dreamt. Stay, who will stay; for me no fears restrain,