A host of phantoms come to lay dim siege

To phantom walls whose warriors were ghosts.

Afar a bugle flourished in the fog,

Disconsolate; no echo of the wood

To bear its music burden. To the moat

Advanced a herald. And within the wall

The grate was opened; and the gaunt-eyed youth

Held parley with him: "How the Earl would make

End of the long dispute to-day, and leave,

'Twixt three a single combat to decide."