A huge and mouldering mausoleum stands.

These words are graved upon its portals gray,—

The Singer of the Nibelungen Lay.

INVOCATION.

O, placid Death! O, lotos-circled king!

Parent of rest and endless slumbering!

With downy-sandalled pace approach me now,

And bathe my lips and palpitating brow

From flagons full of cool Lethean spray,