And ever the great bell overhead,
And the tumbling sea mourned for the dead;
For their song ceased, and they were dead.
THE GHOST'S PETITION: CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI
"There's a footstep coming; look out and see."—
"The leaves are falling, the wind is calling;
No one cometh across the lea."—
"There's a footstep coming; O sister, look."—
"The ripple flashes, the white foam dashes;
No one cometh across the brook."—
"But he promised that he would come:
To-night, to-morrow, in joy or sorrow,
He must keep his word, and must come home.
"For he promised that he would come;
His word was given; from earth to heaven,
He must keep his word, and must come home.
"Go to sleep, my sweet sister Jane;
You can slumber, who need not number
Hour after hour, in doubt and pain.
"I shall sit here awhile and watch;
Listening, hoping for one hand groping,
In deep shadow, to find the latch."
After the dark and before the light,
One lay sleeping, and one sat weeping,
Who had watched and wept the weary night.
After the night and before the day,
One lay sleeping; and one sat weeping—
Watching, weeping for one away.