Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-06-04
BY THE cIBRK OF NoRpoRNE.

4 AuO AllllG EGGlllGG LuG EOOQ QlEDlaV
| OF Huntsmen, ON that evening gray,
| To care what trees or winds might saw;
The chase was o'er-and to Antler Hall
! They now returned, and one and all
Eagerly on the Butler called.
When each on hunger had wreaked his wo
Ger saYory viands had quenchsd his thirst
Their prowess' round the blaze rehearsed.
ana as wing d moments onward flew
Wit and mirth more boisterous grew:
Each bumper lent tenchantment new
forgotten We're the pains and scars,
| With which time, Oft our pleasure mars,
And wraps IN gloom, as clouds the stars.
| Seth Swan, gallant of true mould,
Many roisteriug tale he told
Ihat night. OF venture stern and bold;
OF battles lost. of battles won
OF woman's love meath southern sun,
A jovial night. or " desp'rate rum
But Swans, like all romauces tend
And though anon, he sought to mend,
They came at last to final end.
His ventures told, his comrades all
With wild applause shook roof and hall,
And then the butler forth they call.
Old Allen, trusty, tried and true,
Many wond'rous tale he knew,
Often told, they mOrvelous grew;
For scenes recalled by menials old
WIN grow full soon beyond control
As fancy's visions, new unfold
Now, Allen Page was old and gray.
And apparitions did he say
In Norborne Church held nightly sway
And If they would but please believe,
CFor he'd no object to deceive)
j think it was one Hallow eve
When crossing late the stream and dell,
Near that same ruin known SO well.
| saw the lady Isabelle
She who died long time ago.
lnitbis same hall, so full of Voc
g1niy hyv 81 g..
am no braggart, nerve to lose
Yet I'll cOufesS, and ne'er ruse,
lhat night trembled in my shoes"
Old Allen's tale, of wonders framed.
From courteous guest attention claimed.
Though much the folly Seth IStcan blamed;
And quilting of Il goblet light,
SwOre never yet had ghost or sprita
" Cost him fear, by day or night"
:. And by st. Michael he could ride
10 Norborne Church and there abide
AlOhe from lands (G) till even-tide."
When Seth had made thIs yaunting boast
c E1Iss r0sU,
For he would lay wager rare,
At midnight hour Seth would not dare
To seek that quaigh o. in Norborne fair"
He pointed to an ancient cup
And Seth the relic taking up,
Confirmed the bet with hearty sup.
The Qpaigh, "a family relic rare,
Seemed strange device to bear
Its motto was Beware, BcWare"
All said their host, friend John, would rue
The wager and his jesting too;
For Seth would go, full well they knew
The tune affixed was Hallow-eYc;
The Hall the place they would receive
Tie cup, he should that night retrieve.
All save old Allen Joined the joke,
But he was silent, grave as smoke,
ANA never once approval spoke
But passing round the night-cap (c) red.
Composer of The restless bed.
For-boding shook his hoary head.
None noticed Aliens portent look,
As parting for the night they took
The 'cup" that some but i'll could brook.
Now whether twas from drink or fright
/ cannot ray. but all that night
Swan saw i'll dreams an evil sprite.
Time rolled round-Hanow-cve at last
Came on To mingle with the past;
mournful wall sighed on the blast
The murky clouds their torrents spent,
The meteor's flash the darkness rent
And Friar Rush, % on mischief went
1t was the night (e) when goblins gray
And wizards witch % with elf and fay,
And demons, held their revels gay.
''On high horse, J" for none on ponies.
Attended ball at Captain Johnnie's.
The punch was good, the lassics gay,
Old Lubie played his favorite lay,
! Aid in the dance Seth led the way.
Some may to wealth be born or fatcd
Some may to love be hap'ly mated
Yet-o'er them all was Seth elated
But pleasures arc like visions bright,
That sometimes haunt our dreams by night
We wake-they vanish from our sight!
Or like u bubble on the river,
j breath NAV burst a TiDDle SbiYer
moment seen. theE gone forever
! But who can DER their fate preside
Or stay the flow of time or tide7
lis midnight hOur-and Seth must ride
His good mare Nell. stout and able.
| With flashing eye and coat of sable.
! Forth was ordered from the stable;
| And at the door impatient stood,
| Champing the bit in fiery mood,
AS If she DER some OWL brew'd.
| Seth quit at last the joyous throng
1 Where wit and mirth, and jest and song
| The wee sma" hours of night prolong
But ere he could his saddle gain
| His genial host and doughty train
A stirrnp-cup with him would drain;
I And as he mounted one and all
! Pledged him thus what e'er befall.
A meeting soon at Antler Hall"
! Their parting shout the storms wild din.
| The blast. that bore it back again.
| The party, all now much elated.
\ Rode to tire Hall. and there awaited
Swan, that night to goblins fated-
The storm-swcpt night in bIackness lower,
| Gloom all light so oyer-powcr'd
The very beasts in thieket cower'd.
But 70 proceed-on good mare Nell,
| Seth logged on ! weau right we'll.
I Save through his brain thoughts ncw--pelin II
| Though whistling loud in careless guise,
| He peered around with prudent eyes
! Lest something take him by surprise.
! For there is in solemn midnight hour
A feeling strange that oft viii low'r,
And stir the soul with mystic power:
Thus DER Seth Swan feeling stole
of awe. to save his very sonl.
He could not bauish or control.
Now crossing E7itt's bawling stream,
Along whose banks the owlets scream.
! Seth felt as in a fever'd dream.
More dreary stiIl. the TOad appear'd
When Hangman's haunted hili he Dear'd
CThe spot by lated peasants fear'd.)
But when in view old Norborne burst.
Each object dim leeemed demon curst,
Ready on him to do their WOrGt-
to'er the old ruins ivied wall.
Its gothic front. and gables tall.
[ The gloom of night had thrown its pail;
And lol the bell began to toll
| As if for soma departed soul
Who'd run his race, and reached his goal.
Seth gained at length the crumbling stiIe,
And fast'uing Nell with care the while
Dismounting sought the lonely Pilef