Sacred to memory, and almost she thought

A dolorous cry arose, as if Elaine

Did sound a caterwauling requiem.

With hesitating hand she raised the latch,

And on the threshold with reluctant foot

Lingered, as loath to face the scene of woe,

When lo! the body lay not on the hearth,

For there Elaine her flying tail pursued,—

In the Dame’s chair Sir Tray alive did sit,

A world of merry meaning in his eye,