SONG OF THE GHOST. ALFRED PERCIVAL GRAVES.

 When all were dreaming

But Pastheen Power,

A light came streaming

Beneath her bower¹:[Pg 135]

A heavy foot

At her door delayed,

A heavy hand

On the latch² was laid.

"Now who dare venture,

At this dark hour,

Unbid to enter

My maiden³ bower?"

"Dear Pastheen, open

The door to me,

And your true lover

You'll surely see."

"My own true lover,

So tall and brave,

Lives exiled over

The angry wave."

"Your true love's body

Lies on the bier,

His faithful spirit

Is with you here."

"His look was cheerful,

His voice was gay;

Your speech is fearful,

Your face is grey;

And sad and sunken

Your eye of blue,

But Patrick, Patrick,

Alas⁴! 'tis you!"

Ere dawn was breaking

She heard below

The two cocks shaking

Their wings to crow.[Pg 136]

"Oh, hush⁵ you, hush you,

Both red and grey,

Or you will hurry

My love away.

"Oh, hush your crowing,

Both grey and red,

Or he'll be going

To join the dead;

Or, cease from calling

His ghost to the mould,

And I'll come crowning

Your combs with gold."

When all were dreaming

But Pastheen Power,

A light went streaming

From out her bower;

And on the morrow,

When they awoke,

They knew that sorrow

Her heart had broke.

1 bower   

n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽

参考例句：

• They sat under the leafy bower at the end of the garden and watched the sun set.他们坐在花园尽头由叶子搭成的凉棚下观看落日。
• Mrs. Quilp was pining in her bower.奎尔普太太正在她的闺房里度着愁苦的岁月。

2 latch   

n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁

参考例句：

• She laid her hand on the latch of the door.她把手放在门闩上。
• The repairman installed an iron latch on the door.修理工在门上安了铁门闩。

3 maiden   

n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的

参考例句：

• The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
• The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。

4 alas   

int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)

参考例句：

• Alas!The window is broken!哎呀！窗子破了！
• Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而，真理很少带有浪漫色彩。

5 hush   

int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静

参考例句：

• A hush fell over the onlookers.旁观者们突然静了下来。
• Do hush up the scandal!不要把这丑事声张出去！