In fact"—he grew quite petulant—"in all this world's immensity
I'd back the Bench of Bishops to beat the rest in density."
And so he talked, till suddenly—(perhaps he's talking still;
In talking of his own affairs, he has a wondrous skill)—
There came a noise, as if Old Bones had let off all his blanks at once,
As if a thousand theorists were turning all their cranks at once;
It seemed to lift me off my legs, and seize me by the hair,
And sweep me mute but terrified through all the spook-filled air.
And, when I got my senses back, I vowed no more to tread
The paths that lead to Borderland, nor ask advice of Stead.