And the wild rain beat on the rotting roof

The goblin dance of the Fiend's own hoof,

Till the spider dropped from its dusty woof;

And the thunder throbbed like a mighty heart;

And the wild wind filled each crannied part

Of the mill with moanings, that seemed to be

The voice of an ancient agony—

Till the beetle shrunk in its board of pine;—

While the lightning lit with its instant shine

The tossing terror of tree and vine ...