A true STORY of an APPARITION.
Cepticks (whofe ftrength of argument makes out
That wisdom's deep inquiries end in doubt)
Hold this affertion pofitive and clear,
That sprites are pure delufions rais'd by fear.
Not that fam'd ghoft, which in prefaging found
Call'd Brutus to Philippi's fatal ground;
Nor can Tiberius Gracchus' goary fhade
These ever-doubting difputants perfuade.
Straight they with fmiles reply; thofe tales of old
By vifionary Priefts were made and told :
Oh might some ghost at dead of night appear,
And make you own conviction by your fear!
I know your fneers my easy faith accuse,
Which with fuch idle legends scares the Muse:
But think not that I tell thofe vulgar fprites,
Which frighted boys relate on winter nights;
How cleanly milk-maids meet the fairy train,
How headless horfes drag the clinking chain,
Night-roaming ghofts, by faucer eye-balls known,
The common spectres of each country town.
No, I fuch fables can like you despise,
And laugh to hear these nurse-invented lies.
Yet has not oft the fraudful guardian's fright
Compell'd him to restore an orphan's right?
And can we doubt that horrid ghosts afcend,
Which on the conscious murd'rers steps attend
Hear then, and let attefted truth prevail,
From faithful lips I learnt the dreadful tale.
Where Arden's forest spreads its limits wide,
Whofe branching paths the doubtful road divide,
A trav'ler took his folitary way;
When low beneath the hills was funk the day..
And now the skies with gath'ring darkness lour,
The branches ruftle with the threaten'd fhower;
With fudden blafts the foreft murmurs loud,
Indented lightnings cleave the fable cloud,
Thunder on thunder breaks, the tempeft roars,
And heav'n difcharges all its watry stores.
The wand'ring trav'ler fhelter feeks in vain,
And fhrinks and shivers with the beating rain;
On his steed's neck the flacken'd bridle lay,
Who chose with cautious fep th' uncertain way;
And now he checks the rein, and halts to hear
noife foretold a village near.
At length from far a ftream of light he fees
Extend its level ray between the trees;
Thither he speeds, and as he nearer came
Joyful he knew the lamp's domeftick flame
That trembled through the window; cross the way
Darts forth the barking cur, and ftands at bay.
It was an ancient lonely houfe, that flood
Upon the borders of the fpacious wood;
Here towers and antique battlements arise,
And there in heaps the moulder'd ruin lies;
Some Lord this manfion held in days of yore,
To chase the wolf, and pierce the foaming boar:
How chang'd, alas, from what it once had been!
'Tis now degraded to a publick Inn.
Straight he difmounts, repeats his loud commands; Swift at the gate the ready landlord stands ; With frequent cringe he bows, and begs excuse, His house was full, and ev'ry bed in use. What not a garret, and no ftraw to spare? Why then the kitchin-fire and elbow-chair
Shall ferve for once to nod away the night.
The kitchin ever is the fervant's right,
Replies the hoft; there, all the fire around,
The Count's tir'd footmen fnore upon the ground.
The maid, who liften'd to this whole debate,
With pity learnt the weary ftranger's fate.
Be brave, fhe cries, you ftill may be our gueft,
Our haunted room was ever held the best;
If then your valour can the fright sustain
Of rattling curtains and the clinking chain,
If your courageous tongue have power to talk,
When round your bed the horrid ghost shall walk;
If you dare ask it, why it leaves its tomb,
I'll fee your Sheets well air'd, and show the room.
Soon as the frighted maid her tale had told,
The ftranger enter'd, for his heart was bold.
The damfel led him through a fpacious hall,
Where Ivy hung the half-demolish'd wall;
She frequent look'd behind, and chang'd her hue,
While fancy tipt the candle's flame with blue.
And now they gain'd the winding stairs ascent,
And to the lonefome room of terrors went.
When all was ready fwift retir'd the maid,
The watch-lights burn, tuckt warm in bed was laid
The hardy stranger, and attends the sprite
Till his accustom'd walk at dead of night.
At first he hears the wind with hollow roar
Shake the loose lock, and fwing the creaking door;
Nearer and nearer draws the dreadful found
Of rattling chains, that dragg'd upon the ground:
When lo, the spectre came with horrid ftride,
Approach'd the bed, and drew the curtains wide;
In human form the ghastful Phantom stood,
Expos'd his mangled bofom dy'd with blood,
Then filent pointing to his wounded breast,
Thrice wav'd his hand. Beneath the frighted gueft
The bed-cords trembled, and with fhudd'ring fear,
Sweat chill'd his limbs, high rose his bristled hair;
Then mutt'ring hafty pray'rs, he mann'd his heart,
And cry'd aloud; Say, whence and who thou art.
The stalking ghoft with hollow voice replys,
Three years are counted, fince with mortal eyes
I faw the fun, and vital air refpir'd.
Like thee benighted, and with travel tir'd,
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