BALLADS. 105 



And, as she enter'd the cavern wide, 

 The moonbeam gleamed pale, 



And she saw a snake on the craggy rock, — 

 It clung by its slimy tail. 



Her foot it slipp'd, and sbe stood aghast, 



She trod on a bloated toad ; 

 Yet still, upheld by the secret charm, 



She kept upon her road. 



And now upon her frozen ear 



Mysterious sounds arose, 

 So, on the mountain's piny top. 



The blustering North- wind blows. 



Then furious peals of laughter loud 



Were heard with thundering sound, 



Till they died away, in soft decay, 



Low whispering o'er the ground. 



Yet still the maiden onward went, 



The charm yet onward led. 

 Though each big glaring ball of sight 



Seem'd bursting from her head. 



But now a pale blue light she saw, 



It from a distance came. 

 She followed, till upon her sight, 



Burst full a flood of flame. 



She stood appall'd ; yet still the charm 



Upheld her sinking soul, 

 Yet each bent knee the other smote, 



And each wild eye did roll. 



And such a sight as she saw there, 



No mortal saw before, 

 And such a sight as she saw there. 



No mortal shall see more. 



