Page:Poetical sketches reprint (1868).djvu/31

Rh At length, no fancy, but reality Distracts her. A rushing sound, and the feet Of one that fled, approaches.—Ellen stood, Like a dumb statue, froze to stone with fear.

The wretch approaches, crying, "The deed is done; "Take this, and send it by whom thou wilt send; "It is my life—send it to Eleanor:— "He's dead, and howling after me for blood!

"Take this," he cried; and thrust into her arms A wet napkin, wrapt about; then rush'd Past, howling: she received into her arms Pale death, and follow'd on the wings of fear.

They pass'd swift thro' the outer gate; the wretch, Howling, leap'd o'er the wall into the moat, Stifling in mud. Fair Ellen pass'd the bridge, And heard a gloomy voice cry, "Is it done?"

As the deer wounded Ellen flew over The pathless plain; as the arrows that fly By night; destruction flies, and strikes in darkness. She fled from fear, till at her house arrived.