Homeward stealing when they had passed,

Winifred gazed at the sight aghast.

With wrecks of revel the floors were strewn,

With tables broken and chairs o’erthrown;

Delicate saucer, and cup, and plate,

Ruined all—but, strange to relate,

The porcelain tea-pot standing still,

Safe and sound, on a window-sill!

Long and long have the lichens grown,

Wreathing a slender slab of stone,