III. THE WELCOME HOME. Above the city hangs the moon, Some clouds are
boding1 rain； Gilbert, erewhile on journey gone, To-night comes home again. Ten years have passed above his head, Each year has brought him gain ； His prosperous life has
smoothly2 sped, Without or tear or stain.
'Tis somewhat late——the city clocks Twelve deep vibrations3 toll4, As Gilbert at the portal knocks, Which is his journey's goal. The street is still and desolate5, The moon hid by a cloud； Gilbert, impatient, will not wait,- His second knock peals6 loud.
The clocks are hushed——there's not a light In any window nigh, And not a single planet bright Looks from the clouded sky； The air is raw, the rain descends7, A bitter north-wind blows； His cloak the traveller scarce defends—— Will not the door unclose？
He knocks the third time, and the last His summons now they hear, Within, a footstep, hurrying fast, Is heard approaching near. The bolt is drawn8, the clanking chain Falls to the floor of stone； And Gilbert to his heart will strain His wife and children soon.
The hand that lifts the latchet, holds A candle to his sight, And Gilbert, on the step, beholds9 A woman, clad in white. Lo！ water from her dripping dress Runs on the streaming floor； From every dark and clinging tress The drops incessant10 pour.
There's none but her to welcome him； She holds the candle high, And, motionless in form and limb, Stands cold and silent nigh； There's sand and sea-weed on her robe, Her hollow eyes are blind； No pulse in such a frame can throb11, No life is there defined.
Gilbert turned ashy-white, but still His lips vouchsafed12 no cry； He spurred his strength and master-will To pass the figure by,—— But, moving slow, it faced him straight, It would not flinch13 nor quail14： Then first did Gilbert's strength abate15, His stony16 firmness quail.
He sank upon his knees and prayed The shape stood rigid17 there； He called aloud for human aid, No human aid was near. An accent strange did thus repeat Heaven's stern but just decree： "The measure thou to her didst mete18, To thee shall measured be！"
Gilbert sprang from his bended knees, By the pale spectre pushed, And, wild as one whom demons19 seize, Up the hall-staircase rushed； Entered his chamber——near the bed Sheathed20 steel and fire-arms hung—— Impelled21 by maniac22 purpose dread23 He chose those stores among.
Across his throat a keen-edged knife With vigorous hand he drew； The wound was wide——his outraged24 life Rushed rash and redly through. And thus died, by a shameful25 death, A wise and worldly man, Who never drew but selfish breath Since first his life began.
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