Miscellaneous writings of the late Dr. Maginn edited by Dr. Shelton Mackenzie |
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AILIE MUSHAT'S CAIRN.
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 | Miscellaneous writings of the late Dr. Maginn |  |
222
AILIE MUSHAT'S CAIRN.
A Vision-like remembrance of a Vision.
The night was dark; not a star was view'd
Mid the dim, and cloudy solitude;
I listen'd to the watchman's cry,
And to the midnight breeze, that sung
Round the ruins of St. Anthony,
With dismal, and unearthly tongue:
I scarcely felt the path I trode;
And I durst not linger to look behind,
For I knew that spirits were abroad,
And heard their shrieks on the passing wind;
When lo! a spectacle of dread and awe
With trembling knees, and stiffening hair I saw!
Mid the dim, and cloudy solitude;
I listen'd to the watchman's cry,
And to the midnight breeze, that sung
Round the ruins of St. Anthony,
With dismal, and unearthly tongue:
I scarcely felt the path I trode;
And I durst not linger to look behind,
For I knew that spirits were abroad,
And heard their shrieks on the passing wind;
When lo! a spectacle of dread and awe
With trembling knees, and stiffening hair I saw!
A grave-light spread its flames of blue,
Its flames of blue and lurid red,
And, in the midst, a hellish crew
Were seated round the stony bed
Of one, whom Murder robb'd of life!—
I saw the hand that held the knife,
It was her husband's hand, and yet
With the life-gore the blade was wet,
Dripping like a fiery sheath,
On the mossy cairn beneath!
The vision changed; and, on the stones,
With visage savage, fierce, and wild,
Above the grave that held her bones,
The ghost of Ailie Mushat smiled;
It was a sight of dread and fear—
A chequered napkin bound her head,
Her throat was cut from ear to ear,
Her hands and breast were spotted red;
She strove to speak, but from the wound
Her breath came out with a broken sound!
Its flames of blue and lurid red,
And, in the midst, a hellish crew
Were seated round the stony bed
223
I saw the hand that held the knife,
It was her husband's hand, and yet
With the life-gore the blade was wet,
Dripping like a fiery sheath,
On the mossy cairn beneath!
The vision changed; and, on the stones,
With visage savage, fierce, and wild,
Above the grave that held her bones,
The ghost of Ailie Mushat smiled;
It was a sight of dread and fear—
A chequered napkin bound her head,
Her throat was cut from ear to ear,
Her hands and breast were spotted red;
She strove to speak, but from the wound
Her breath came out with a broken sound!
I started! for she strove to rise,
And pierced me with her bloodshot eyes;
She strove to rise, but fast I drew
Upon the grass a circle round;
I said a prayer, and she withdrew
Slowly within the stony mound—
And trembling, and alone I stood,
In the depth of the midnight solitude.
And pierced me with her bloodshot eyes;
She strove to rise, but fast I drew
Upon the grass a circle round;
I said a prayer, and she withdrew
Slowly within the stony mound—
And trembling, and alone I stood,
In the depth of the midnight solitude.
| Miscellaneous writings of the late Dr. Maginn | |