The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson ... for the first time fully collected and compared with the original and early editions ... edited ... by the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart ... with portrait, illustrations, &c |
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| A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE. |
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 | The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson |  |
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.
Sudden he starts, and hears, or thinks he hears
The sound of something purring at his heels.
Blair.
The sound of something purring at his heels.
Blair.
Man toils a pilgrim through this weary wild,
This land of serpents, this abode of cares;
And ah! what past, what future horrors dire,
In grim succession start upon his view!
Ills, that surveyed by Fancy's staring eye,
Swell to a size enormous, while the soul,
O'ercome and fainting at their dread approach,
Shrinks from herself; anticipates their pangs,
And sinks beneath imaginary woes.
This land of serpents, this abode of cares;
And ah! what past, what future horrors dire,
In grim succession start upon his view!
Ills, that surveyed by Fancy's staring eye,
Swell to a size enormous, while the soul,
O'ercome and fainting at their dread approach,
Shrinks from herself; anticipates their pangs,
And sinks beneath imaginary woes.
Thrice happy he! beyond expression blest!
Who though by fate condemned to ceaseless toils,
Beneath hard Fortune's bleak inclement sky,
Feels but this moment's pain! and tho' he sees
Advancing clouds of ills, yet still enjoys
The present sunshine; hopeful that the storm,
Though hung in blackest frowns, may soon disperse,
Or roll unbroken o'er his peaceful head.
Who though by fate condemned to ceaseless toils,
Beneath hard Fortune's bleak inclement sky,
Feels but this moment's pain! and tho' he sees
Advancing clouds of ills, yet still enjoys
The present sunshine; hopeful that the storm,
Though hung in blackest frowns, may soon disperse,
Or roll unbroken o'er his peaceful head.
293
Late through a far-extended lonely moor,—
Whose gloomy sides and dark recesses, oft
Had prov'd the haunt of midnight ruffians fierce,—
Old Ralph, benighted, trod. A pedlar he,
Of honest fame; unlike those ragged swarms,
That ceaseless pouring from a neighb'ring isle,
On Scotia's shores intrude with baggage, base
And undeserving as the backs that bear them:
But sober he and grave, and large the load
That lay unwieldy on his shoulders wide,
And stoop'd him half to earth. A goat's rough skin
Inwrapt the costly stores. Scissors and combs,
And knives and laces long; sharp-pointed awls,
And pins arrang'd in many a glitt'ring row;
Strong Shetland-hose, and woollen night-caps warm;
Clasps, bonnets, razors, spectacles, and rings,
With nameless more, that here the Muse forbears
To crowd into her strain. But what avail'd
This world of wealth? That fail'd alas! to purchase
A bed of straw for its neglected owner.
From farm to farm, from cot to cot he strays,
Imploring shelter from th'approaching night,
And black-suspended storm. Full oft he vow'd to leave
Whole rows of pins, nor crave one scanty meal.
Vain were his vows, and sad he trudg'd, till night
Descending dreary o'er the dark'ning waste,
Conceal'd each human dwelling from his view,
Nor ought of sound assail'd his listening ear,
Save the wild shrieks of moor-cock from the hill,
Or breeze that whistled mournful o'er the heath.
Whose gloomy sides and dark recesses, oft
Had prov'd the haunt of midnight ruffians fierce,—
Old Ralph, benighted, trod. A pedlar he,
Of honest fame; unlike those ragged swarms,
That ceaseless pouring from a neighb'ring isle,
On Scotia's shores intrude with baggage, base
And undeserving as the backs that bear them:
But sober he and grave, and large the load
That lay unwieldy on his shoulders wide,
And stoop'd him half to earth. A goat's rough skin
Inwrapt the costly stores. Scissors and combs,
And knives and laces long; sharp-pointed awls,
And pins arrang'd in many a glitt'ring row;
Strong Shetland-hose, and woollen night-caps warm;
Clasps, bonnets, razors, spectacles, and rings,
With nameless more, that here the Muse forbears
To crowd into her strain. But what avail'd
This world of wealth? That fail'd alas! to purchase
A bed of straw for its neglected owner.
From farm to farm, from cot to cot he strays,
Imploring shelter from th'approaching night,
And black-suspended storm. Full oft he vow'd to leave
Whole rows of pins, nor crave one scanty meal.
Vain were his vows, and sad he trudg'd, till night
Descending dreary o'er the dark'ning waste,
Conceal'd each human dwelling from his view,
Nor ought of sound assail'd his listening ear,
Save the wild shrieks of moor-cock from the hill,
Or breeze that whistled mournful o'er the heath.
The dreadful tales of robbers' bloody deeds,
That oft had swell'd his theme while nightly stretch'd
Beside the list'ning peasant's blazing hearth,
Now crowded on his mind in all their rage
Of pistols, purses, stand! deliver! death!
Trembling he stumbled on, and ever rolled
His jealous eyes around. Each waving shrub
Doubl'd his fears, till, horrible to thought!
The sound of hasty steps alarm'd his ear,
Fast hurrying up behind. Sudden he stopt,
And stooping, could discern, with terror struck,
Between him and the welkin's scanty light,
A black gigantic form of human shape,
And formidably arm'd. Ah! who can tell
The horrors dread that at this instant struck
Ralph's frozen frame. His few gray rev'rend hairs
Rose bristling up, and from his aged scalp,
Up-bore the affrighted bonnet. Down he dropt
Beneath th'oppressive load, but gath'ring soon
A little strength, in desperation crawl'd
To reach some neighb'ring shrubs' concealing shade.
That oft had swell'd his theme while nightly stretch'd
Beside the list'ning peasant's blazing hearth,
Now crowded on his mind in all their rage
Of pistols, purses, stand! deliver! death!
Trembling he stumbled on, and ever rolled
His jealous eyes around. Each waving shrub
294
The sound of hasty steps alarm'd his ear,
Fast hurrying up behind. Sudden he stopt,
And stooping, could discern, with terror struck,
Between him and the welkin's scanty light,
A black gigantic form of human shape,
And formidably arm'd. Ah! who can tell
The horrors dread that at this instant struck
Ralph's frozen frame. His few gray rev'rend hairs
Rose bristling up, and from his aged scalp,
Up-bore the affrighted bonnet. Down he dropt
Beneath th'oppressive load, but gath'ring soon
A little strength, in desperation crawl'd
To reach some neighb'ring shrubs' concealing shade.
So speeds the hurrying crab, when eager boys
Uprear th'incumbent stone, and bare expose
Himself and haunt unto the open day.
Uprear th'incumbent stone, and bare expose
Himself and haunt unto the open day.
Approaching nearer to the bushes' gloom,
Along the heath, upon his breast, he stole,
With arms expanded, grasping for his hold:
As when to gain some herb's inviting leaf,
The weary snail, supporting her own shell,
And stretching forth her horns, with searching care
Moves cautious on. Meantime, scarce had he reach'd
The o'erhanging furze, when to his startled view
The stalking form advanc'd. Huge, huge it seem'd,
And in its brawny grasp held something black,—
A bloody sword, no doubt, of dreadful size;
Before the gloomy spot where Ralphus lay,
Frowning it stood; and look'd, and stood, and look'd;
And look'd, and stood!—
As if it sought but one directing glance
To thunder through his heart the deadly shot.
Along the heath, upon his breast, he stole,
With arms expanded, grasping for his hold:
As when to gain some herb's inviting leaf,
The weary snail, supporting her own shell,
And stretching forth her horns, with searching care
Moves cautious on. Meantime, scarce had he reach'd
The o'erhanging furze, when to his startled view
The stalking form advanc'd. Huge, huge it seem'd,
And in its brawny grasp held something black,—
A bloody sword, no doubt, of dreadful size;
Before the gloomy spot where Ralphus lay,
Frowning it stood; and look'd, and stood, and look'd;
And look'd, and stood!—
As if it sought but one directing glance
To thunder through his heart the deadly shot.
With horror petrify'd the pedlar lay
Squat on the heath, and shook through every nerve,
Till nature giving way, with one deep groan,
At once his senses sunk into a swoon.
Happy for Ralph, I ween, that at this time
The soul deserted her endanger'd clay,
Ere mighty cries for mercy had reveal'd
The spot he held, and forc'd him to resign
His purse, his budget, or his precious life.
Squat on the heath, and shook through every nerve,
Till nature giving way, with one deep groan,
At once his senses sunk into a swoon.
295
The soul deserted her endanger'd clay,
Ere mighty cries for mercy had reveal'd
The spot he held, and forc'd him to resign
His purse, his budget, or his precious life.
How long he lay entranc'd, can ne'er be told
By human tongue; yet this we know, that life
Again revisited his wan, cold corpse,
And trembled on his lip. The purple tide
Resum'd its wonted course, and to the night
Again he op'd his weary, languid eyes,
While Recollection, settling on her throne,
Inform'd him where he was. Around he threw
His fearful look upon the dreary waste,
Where nought was seen to stir except the bent
That idly bended on the sighing blast;
While safe, and resting on his bruisèd back,
The bulky budget press'd him to the earth.
‘Good heav'n be praised!’ with lifted eyes he said,
‘That here my budget lies, and I am safe!’
So said, he rose, but with him also rose
Some doubts about his safety. O'er the heath,
With throbbing breast, he bent his pathless way,
And long he trod, and oft he gaz'd around
For some kind hut to shield him from the night.
At length, descending a rough, rocky steep,
A glimmering light from some lone cottage near,
Beam'd on his gladdened view. Soon to the door
His way he found, and entering, could perceive
A group assembled round the ruddy hearth.
By human tongue; yet this we know, that life
Again revisited his wan, cold corpse,
And trembled on his lip. The purple tide
Resum'd its wonted course, and to the night
Again he op'd his weary, languid eyes,
While Recollection, settling on her throne,
Inform'd him where he was. Around he threw
His fearful look upon the dreary waste,
Where nought was seen to stir except the bent
That idly bended on the sighing blast;
While safe, and resting on his bruisèd back,
The bulky budget press'd him to the earth.
‘Good heav'n be praised!’ with lifted eyes he said,
‘That here my budget lies, and I am safe!’
So said, he rose, but with him also rose
Some doubts about his safety. O'er the heath,
With throbbing breast, he bent his pathless way,
And long he trod, and oft he gaz'd around
For some kind hut to shield him from the night.
At length, descending a rough, rocky steep,
A glimmering light from some lone cottage near,
Beam'd on his gladdened view. Soon to the door
His way he found, and entering, could perceive
A group assembled round the ruddy hearth.
Bent o'er the fire a hoary rustic hung,
Wrinkled with age, and seemed as if he'd been
The last survivor of the former age.
Upon the floor, engag'd in sportive play,
Three prattling infants sat; while, wrapt in peace,
Their frugal mother plyed the murm'ring wheel.
Wrinkled with age, and seemed as if he'd been
The last survivor of the former age.
Upon the floor, engag'd in sportive play,
Three prattling infants sat; while, wrapt in peace,
Their frugal mother plyed the murm'ring wheel.
To her Ralph straight apply'd, and wishing peace,
Besought the shelter of their humble roof,
To rest till dawn of day his weary limbs;
For far, far distant from each friend he stray'd,
And cold and dreary was the gloomy night.
296
To rest till dawn of day his weary limbs;
For far, far distant from each friend he stray'd,
And cold and dreary was the gloomy night.
The jealous matron for a while survey'd
His decent form; then pointing to a chest,
While kind compassion melted in her eye—
‘Repose,’ she said, ‘your load, and freely share
That fare and shelter we ourselves enjoy.’
His decent form; then pointing to a chest,
While kind compassion melted in her eye—
‘Repose,’ she said, ‘your load, and freely share
That fare and shelter we ourselves enjoy.’
Scarce had poor Ralph obey'd, and scarce sat down,
To ponder pensive on the danger past,
When noise announc'd some wanderer at the door;
Soft rose the latch, and instant usher'd in
A feeble, shiv'ring, small, decrepid thing;
One drooping hand sustain'd the pond'rous goose,
Whose level, burning bases, oft, alas!
Unpitying, scorches the gray wand'ring brood
That, numerous, lurk amid th'enclosing seams;
A rod the other grasp'd, that serv'd to explore
His darksome path along the midnight mud,
Nor fail'd to act a useful part by day.
To ponder pensive on the danger past,
When noise announc'd some wanderer at the door;
Soft rose the latch, and instant usher'd in
A feeble, shiv'ring, small, decrepid thing;
One drooping hand sustain'd the pond'rous goose,
Whose level, burning bases, oft, alas!
Unpitying, scorches the gray wand'ring brood
That, numerous, lurk amid th'enclosing seams;
A rod the other grasp'd, that serv'd to explore
His darksome path along the midnight mud,
Nor fail'd to act a useful part by day.
A sound of joy now through the cottage rose;
Each laughing infant ran to meet his sire
With shouts of joy. Aside the matron put
Her well-worn wheel, and anxiously enquir'd
From him the cause of his unusual stay.
A fear-begotten, wild, expressive look
He just return'd the partner of his cares,
When seated softly in his rev'rend chair,
With solemn voice and sighing thus began:
‘If ever Satan visited this earth,
This night, this dreadful night I have him seen.’
‘Heav'n be our guide!’ exclaim'd the trembling wife,
The children crowded nearer to the hearth,
And while the hoary swain star'd in his face,
The ghostly taylor thus his tale renew'd:—
Each laughing infant ran to meet his sire
With shouts of joy. Aside the matron put
Her well-worn wheel, and anxiously enquir'd
From him the cause of his unusual stay.
A fear-begotten, wild, expressive look
He just return'd the partner of his cares,
When seated softly in his rev'rend chair,
With solemn voice and sighing thus began:
‘If ever Satan visited this earth,
This night, this dreadful night I have him seen.’
‘Heav'n be our guide!’ exclaim'd the trembling wife,
The children crowded nearer to the hearth,
And while the hoary swain star'd in his face,
The ghostly taylor thus his tale renew'd:—
‘Dark was the night ere thro' the rustling wood,
Groping my way, I gain'd the level moor;
There, as I trod along, methought I heard
Some rumbling noise before me on the heath,
As stones confin'd within a coffin make;
Approaching nearer, plainly I beheld
(If e'er these eyes were capable of sight)
A monstrous rolling bulk, three times as large
As any ox that ever graz'd the hill;
Within my view it kept, till vent'ring near,
And stopping short to guess what it might be,
With two deep groans it vanish'd from my sight.
‘Feeble as death I fled, and soon I reached
297
There, as I trod along, methought I heard
Some rumbling noise before me on the heath,
As stones confin'd within a coffin make;
Approaching nearer, plainly I beheld
(If e'er these eyes were capable of sight)
A monstrous rolling bulk, three times as large
As any ox that ever graz'd the hill;
Within my view it kept, till vent'ring near,
And stopping short to guess what it might be,
With two deep groans it vanish'd from my sight.
The cottage on the hill; but ere my tongue
Could tell the sad disaster, flat I fell
For dead upon the floor. With much kind care
They brought me back to life; these last two hours
There pale I sat, my vigour to regain.
But never, never, shall I e'er dispute
The dread existence of those wandering fiends;
This night these eyes have witnessèd such horrors,
As would have terrify'd and put to flight
The priest himself, and boldest man on earth.’
He ceas'd, and Ralph, with looks that sparkl'd joy,
Explain'd the mystery dread. A burst of mirth,
In laughter loud, convuls'd their ev'ry nerve;
Forth from his shaggy budget Ralphus drew,
In gleesome mood, his pipes; the swelling bag
Awoke the warlike yell and sounding drone;
The hoary swain sat smiling in his chair,
Up sprung the host and flung around the floor;
The wondering yonkers laugh'd to see their sire,
And mirth and music echoed thro' the cot.
| The poems and literary prose of Alexander Wilson | |