Page:Collected poems vol 2 de la mare.djvu/69

 PSTAIRS in the large closet, child,
 * This side the blue room door,

Is an old Bible, bound in leather,
 * Standing upon the floor;

"Go with this taper, bring it me;
 * Carry it so, upon your arm;

It is the book on many a sea
 * Hath stilled the waves' alarm."

Late the hour, dark the night,
 * The house is solitary;

Feeble is a taper's light
 * To light poor Ann to see.

Her eyes are yet with visions bright
 * Of sylph and river, flower and fay,

Now through a narrow corridor
 * She goes her lonely way.

Vast shadows on the heedless walls
 * Gigantic loom, stoop low:

Each little hasty footfall calls
 * Hollowly to and fro.