Tramp! tramp! along the land they rode; Splash! splash! along the sea; The scourge is red, the spur drops blood, The flashing pebbles flee.
"Hurrah! hurrah! well ride the dead; The bride, the bride is come; And soon we reach the bridal bed, For, Helen, here's my home."—
Reluctant on its rusty hinge Revolved an iron door, And by the pale moon's setting beam Were seen a church and tower.
With many a shriek and cry whiz round The birds of midnight, scared; And rustling like autumnal leaves Unhallowed ghosts were heard.
O'er many a tomb and tombstone pale He spurred the fiery horse, Till sudden at an open grave He checked the wondrous course.
The falling gauntlet quits the rein, Down drops the casque of steel, The cuirass leaves his shrinking side, The spur his gory heel.
The eyes desert the naked skull, The mouldering flesh the bone, Till Helen's lily arms entwine A ghastly skeleton.
The furious barb snorts fire and foam, And, with a fearful bound, Dissolves at once in empty air, And leaves her on the ground.
Half seen by fits, by fits half heard, Pale spectres flit along, Wheel round the maid in dismal dance, And howl the funeral song:
"E'en when the heart's with anguish cleft, Revere the doom of Heaven. Her soul is from her body reft; Her spirit be forgiven!"