When a death-watch beat in her lonely room,

When her curtain had shook of its own accord;

And the raven had flapp'd at her window-board,

To tell of her warrior's doom!

Now sing you the death-song, and loudly pray

For the soul of my knight so dear;

And call me a widow this wretched day,

Since the warning of God is here!

For night-mare rides on my strangled sleep:

The lord of my bosom is doomed to die: