Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.).djvu/143



The stories true, and legends wild; The many changes, bad and good, That had occurred since there it stood, 'Twould form a chronicle, to read, Strange, very, very strange indeed. The spoiler came in evil hour, Who, lacking taste, and having power, O monstrous act! decreed its fall, And built the present Market Hall.

from troubled sleep in wild affright, What piercing screams disturb the peaceful night? List! 'tis a smother'd cry salutes mine ear, And now a stifled groan begets new fear: I hear strange voices, and the hurrying tread Of many people: hark! they say "He's dead!" The gleam of crackling fire, with glare around, Adds to the horror of each dreadful sound. They call for water!—I can bear no more; Cold perspiration starts from every pore! With frenzied haste the window up I threw; A half-scorched body met my sickening view, The truth revealing, quick I turned away— Our neighbour Perkins killed his that day!