'Twas midnight—all was slumber; the lone light

Dimmed in the lamp, as both to break the night.

Hark! there be murmurs heard in Lara's hall—

A sound—a voice—a shriek—a fearful call!

A long, loud shriek—and silence—did they hear

That frantic echo burst the sleeping ear?

They heard and rose, and, tremulously brave,

Rush where the sound invoked their aid to save;

They come with half-lit tapers in their hands,

And snatched in startled haste unbelted brands. 210