Classic Poem

She kindled fits of frantic mirth,
Maddening their hearts the while,
But suddenly their laughter sunk
To a convulsive smile:
The flesh they eat grew foul with gore,
Strange tears began to flow,
And something in the secret soul
Prompted their hearts to woe:
Then outspake Theoclymenus,
(These were the words he said,)
" What evil doom, O wretched men,
Vexes you now? Each head,
Each face, down to the knees below,
Is swathed in darkness dread.
Low wailing murmurs spread like fire,
Tears down your cheeks have flowed,
The walls, and all the lintels round,
Are dabbled o'er with blood;
Yon porch is full of shadowy forms,
Full too this stately room,
Together gliding duskily
Down into Stygian gloom;
And over all the place beneath,
A deadly mist hath run;
And some one, from the heaven above,
Has blotted out the sun. "
He ceased — On this, right merrily
They all to laugh begun.