THE SKELETON DANCE.

After the German of Goethe.

The warder looked out at the mid-hour of night,

Where the grave-hills all silently lay;

The moon-beams above gave so brilliant a light,

That the churchyard was clear as by day:

First one, then another, to open began;

Here came out a woman—there came out a man,—

Each clad in a shroud long and white.

And then for amusement—perchance it was cold—