ACNtS OK infill SINDKHI.AND. ] 79 



[ith'si 3Ux\i. 



High on the top of a huge cliff there stood. — 



'I'liw'ring above the waters ceaseless roar. 



A lonely castle, frowning o'er the flood, 



-As a grim sentinel to guard the shore. — 



Children and maidens shunned its gloomy pile, 



And strong bold men oft tira'rous glances threw, 



No sun upon its towers cast a smile, 



The waves beneath seem'd dyed a deeper blue ; 



Strange tales were told of ghostly .-pectral throngs 



That o'er its baitlements at night were seen. 



And yells and shrieks unknown to human tongues. 



Bent the calm air, whilst ocean all serene 



Lay sleeping 'neath the moon's soft beaming eye : — 



Or when the storm King plumed his threatening win°r, 



And thundering rode athwart the burdened sky. 



Above the turmoil their fell shouts would ring. — 



No other sign of life save when the sua 

 Awoke at morn, and o'er the blue expanse 

 Chased the thick mist, or scared the shadows dun, 

 Which fled affrighted at his fervid glance, 

 One might behold a maiden's fragile form. 

 Waving as tho' for succour, her long veil — 

 And midst the bowlings of the wildest storm 

 Was heard the tones of that fair creature's wail j 

 And round the castle a wild legend hung, 

 "Which thus to me an aged minstrel sung. — 



O lady if sleep thy bright eyes has forsaken, 



Lend an ear to the son-owful story [ tell, 

 And tho' my nide hai-p by the winds may be shaken. 



It will sigh to the tone in harmonious swell. — 

 For oft have I chaunted the lay to the mountain. 



Whilst winds have howl'd past in a rage at the theme. 

 And the cascades which sprung from its innermost fountain, 



Have coursed down its side in a tear swelling stream. — 



And oft 'neath the window where love's lamp was burning! 

 Where eyes bright as stars, have looked forth on the night,' 



