And then aloud, - “Unhand me, free my chain;
On oath he fell - it struck him to the brain: -
Why ask my father? - that old man will swear
Against my life; besides, he wasn’t there:
What, all agreed? - Am I to die to-day? -
My Lord, in mercy give me time to pray.”
Then as they watch’d him, calmer he became,
And grew so weak he couldn’t move his frame,
But murmuring spake - while they could see and hear
The start of terror and the groan of fear;