"Forbear;"--imperious William cry'd "I carry home, a beauteous bride, "Come, to our marriage feast; "Mourners, away, we want your song; "And as we swiftly haste along, "Give us your blessing, priest. "Sing on, that life is like a shade; "A tale that's told, or flowers which fade: "Such strains will yield delight. "And, when we to our chamber go, "Bury your dead, with wail and woe; "The service suits the night." While William speaks, they silent stand, Then run obedient to command, But, on with furious bound, The foaming courser forward flew, Fire and stones his heels pursue, Like whirlwinds dash'd around. On right and left, on left and right, Trees, hills, and towns flew past their sight, As on they breathless prest; "With the bright moon, like death we speed, "Doth Leonora fear the dead?" "Ah! leave the dead at rest." Behold, where in the moon's pale beam, As wheels and gibbets faintly gleam, Join'd hand in hand, a crowd Of imps and spectres hover nigh, Or round a wasted wretch they fly, When William calls aloud: "Hither, ye airy rabble, come, "And follow till I reach my home; "We want a marriage dance." As when the leaves on wither'd trees, Are rustled by an edying breeze, The muttering sprites advance. But, soon with hurried steps, the crew Rush'd prattling on, for William flew, Clasp'd by the frighted fair: Swifter than shafts, or than the wind, While struck from earth fire flash'd behind, Like lightnings through the air. Not only flew the landscape by, The clouds and stars appear'd to fly. "Thus over hills and heath "We ride like death; say, lovely maid, "By moon-light dost thou fear the dead?" "Ah! speak no more of death." "The cock hath crow'd--Away! away! "The sand ebbs out: I scent the day. "On! on! away from here! "Soon must our destin'd course be run, "The dead ride swift,--hurrah! 'tis done, "The marriage bed is near." High grated iron doors, in vain Barr'd their way.--With loosened rein Whil'st William urg'd the steed, He struck the bolts;--they open flew, A churchyard drear appear'd in view; Their path was o'er the dead. As now, half veil'd by clouds, the moon With feebler ray, o'er objects shone, Where tombstones faint appear, A grave new dug arrests the pair, Cry'd William, and embrac'd the fair, "Our marriage bed is here." Scarce had he spoke, when, dire to tell, His flesh like touchwood from him fell, His eyes forsook his head. A skull, and naked bones alone, Supply the place of William gone, 'Twas Death that clasp'd the maid.