When they heard so much as the shaken frills

Of these they loved in the passing by;

And then, betwixt a sob and sigh,

Had dreamed of a day when they should wed.

Vain dream! Vain dream! now here, instead,

With Bianca fled to the hill-side tower

They should strain and hearken hour by hour,

With clutching hands and bated breath,

For man's last bride—the Woman, Death.

And thus they sat a lengthy while