Victoria

'Twas then that I started! — the wild storm was howling,

Nought was seen, save the lightning, which danced in the sky;

Above me, the crash of the thunder was rolling,

And low, chilling murmurs, the blast wafted by.

My heart sank within me — unheeded the war

Of the battling clouds, on the mountain-tops, broke; —

Unheeded the thunder-peal crashed in mine ear —

This heart, hard as iron, is stranger to fear;

But conscience in low, noiseless whispering spoke.

'Twas then that her form on the whirlwind upholding,

The ghost of the murdered Victoria strode;

In her right hand, a shadowy shroud she was holding,

She swiftly advanced to my lonesome abode.

I wildly then called on the tempest to bear me — '