Ces a

But no, they never mean to yield, and Annie seeks the casement.

The castle there o’erhangs the lake, she finds to her amazement!

‘Oh, look! oh, look! dear sister Ann! is any one a-coming ?

‘I can but see the shepherd lad, and hear his distant humming.’

Then Blue Beard calls, ‘Come, open, dear! I’ve something here to show you |’
But Annie speaks for Fatima, ‘ You vile old wretch, we know you!

Go, change your wig and dye your beard, disgust we cannot smother.
You've bottled off no end of wives, and now would cook another.’

Then Blue Beard’s rage grew hot and fierce—yea, it indeed was furious ;
His tender tones were all a sham, his anger is not spurious,

When Fatima in tears exclaimed—‘ Is any one a-coming ?’

‘I can but see an organ-man, and hear his distant strumming.’

Then Blue Beard cried, ‘ I’ve formed my plans—they’ll answer, I’ve no doubt,
Long as you like pray stay in here, and then [ll starve you out ;

I now shall go to dinner, and wish you both good night.

Is there anything that I can bring ?>—perhaps you'll want a light.’

‘Oh, look once more, dear sister Ann! is any one a-coming ?

The sickness which I feel at heart is all my frame benumbing !’

‘I see, I see a distant speck upon the far horizon.

I wonder how he killed his wives, by strangling or by poison ?’

“Oh, don’t!’ cried Fatima ; ‘oh, don’t! I feel all in a tremble !

I never dreamt to meet me here such guests he would assemble.

They all are in a bridal dress, and all seem young and pretty!

And must my charms be stoppered, too? oh, dreadful, dreadful pity !
‘The speck increases, Fatima ; it is a man well mounted ;

He seems to ride at such a pace, and guessed our hours were counted.

But pray don’t count on him yourself, for 1’m of this opinion,

He only comes to bring the post,—or is this Bluebeard’s minion ?”

They watch, they watch, some moments more, then both kissed one another.
The rider is young Abousqueers, their own now darling brother !

They wait, they wait,—how long they wait, till he the castle reaches !
Then they across the narrow lake send forth their anguished speeches.

Of course they now speak both at once, and he is sorely puzzled

To think what they on earth can mean, that ‘ Bluebeard must be muzzled.’