And hide it from my sight!'

"I took the dreary body up,
And cast it in a stream,--
A sluggish water, black as ink.
The depth was so extreme
My gentle boy, remember this
Is nothing but a dream!

"Down went the corse with a hollow plunge,
And vanish'd in the pool--
Anon I cleansed my bloody hands
And wash'd my forehead cool,
And sat among the urchins young
That evening in the school!

"Oh, heaven, to think of their white souls,
And mine so black and grim!
I could not share in childish prayer.
Nor join in evening hymn:
Like a devil of the pit I seem'd,
'Mid holy cherubim!

"And peace went with them one and all,
And each calm pillow spread--
But Guilt was my grim chamberlain
That lighted me to bed,
And drew my midnight curtains round,
With fingers bloody red!