212 THE EXORCIST OF HALSTOCK. 



And now my fair and worthy liearers this long lecture on your 

 patience is at an end. When Walter de Mapes, the jovial Arch- 

 deacon of Oxford, in the 11th century, had concluded his metrical 

 argument against the celibacy of the clergy, he besought each 

 reverend clerk to join with his mistress in a prayer for his sins. 

 So for myself, I would entreat each fair dame and gentle youth, 

 whom the spring shall draw forth among the beauties of their 

 native scenery, that of their courtesy they excuse, or smile only 

 on the mistakes of a stranger, who has thus ventured to dilate on 

 topics with which they themselves must be much better acquainted. 



t-UNEREAL SKETCHES, No. XXVI.* 

 THE EXORCIST OF HALSTOCK. 



The hill is bleak above the wood, 



Where St. Michael of Halstock*s chapel stood : 



Deep beneath, the moor bom rill 



Laves a spot that is hallowed still. 



Girdling the forgotten cell 



Where its ancient sacristan used to dwell. 



A fearful wight, I have heard tell 

 Was the sexton of Halstock's low chapel le. 

 When Richard's monks from Brightley fled 

 They carried the sacristan forth as dead 

 As far as the verge of a ruiming brook 



Which shone that day like fire ; 

 When the train were felled by a sudden stroke 



All save Brightley 's prior. 

 When the brethren rose and looked around 

 Corpse nor coffin might there be found ; 

 But a smell of sulphur was on the ground. 

 At vesper bell the sacristan 

 Of Halstock was a living man, 



* By an accidental omission, the Titles "Funereal Sketches" were omitted in 

 the pieces, at pages 71 and 85 of the present volume. They should have been 

 numbered as follows: "No. 23,— Lonely Thoughts;" "No. 24,— Truant Fan- 

 cies:" "No. 25,— The Quest House;" (by mistake numbered 23) consequently 

 the present will be No. 26. 



