And if ever a faint, far murmur stirs,

Or the sound of a bell’s dim chime,

He moves, and fumbles at the hilt,

And mutters, “Is it time?”

A peasant once of old, ’tis said,

Lost in the labyrinth ways,

Chanced on the door and raised the bar,

And stared with a wild amaze.

And, “Is it time?” he heard the shape

In an awful voice demand;