Yet still, with labouring nerves, to move the stone
He struggles. Now he stops; and, hark! A groan!
But one; then all was hush’d! A sickening chill
Seized Irza’s heart, and seem’d her veins to thrill.
Fain had she call’d her youthful bridegroom’s name;
Her tongue Fear’s numbing fingers seem’d to lame.
Footsteps!—more near they drew:—slow rolled the
stone—
The infernal gaoler came, but came alone.
With anxious glance his eye explored the cell;