University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 

The Third Tapping

“It's strange, but years back, when I was here,
I used to notice a tapping near;
A man was making his coffin at night,
And he made a second, if I am right?
I have heard again the self-same tapping—
Yes, late last night—or was I napping?”
“O no. It's the same man. He made one
Which his brother had; and a second was done—
For himself, as he thought. But lately his son,
As tall as he, died; aye, and as trim,
And his sorrowful father bestowed it on him.
And now the man is making a third,
To be used for himself when he is interred.”
“Many years later was brought to me
News that the man had died at sea.”