III

What's that, who's that comes breaking on my sleep

With groans? What, father, you? (The very look,

The same smudged foolish face like an old sheep

Even after twenty years scarcely mistook.)

Speak, Father, speak; that night what came to you

Vanished in wrath or terror? Tell the tale;

Your beer left still in mug, your half-made shoe

On last, your turnip ticking on its nail!

"Son, it was Death. I have not stirred a foot