"Depart then," I advised, "nor block the road

For youngsters still behindhand with such sights!"

"Why no," rejoins the venerable sire,

"I know it 's horrid, hideous past belief,

Burdensome far beyond what eye can bear;

But they do promise, when Pompilia dies

I' the course o' the day,—and she can't outlive night,—

They 'll bring her body also to expose

Beside the parents, one, two, three abreast;

That were indeed a sight which, might I see,