A Ballad Of Hell

"A letter from my love today !

Oh, unexpected, dear appeal ! "

She struck a happy tear away,

And broke the crimson seal.

"My Love, there is no help on earth,

No help in heaven; the dead-man's bell

Must toll our wedding; our first hearth

Must be the well-paved floor of hell."

The color died from out her face,

Her eyes like ghostly candles shone;

She cast dread looks about the place,

Then clenched her teeth and read right on.

"I may not pass the prison door;

Here must I rot from day to day,

Unless I wed whom I abhor,

My cousin, Blanch of Valencay.

"At midnight with my dagger keen,

I'll take my life; it must be so.

Meet me in hell tonight, my queen,

For weal and woe."