| THE NIGHT was black and drear | |
| Of the last day of the year. | |
| Two guests to the river inn | |
| Came, from the wide world's bound— | |
| One with clangor and din, | 5 |
| The other without a sound. | |
| |
| "Now hurry, servants and host! | |
| Get the best that your cellars boast. | |
| White be the sheets and fine, | |
| And the fire on the hearthstone bright; | 10 |
| Pile the wood, and spare not the wine, | |
| And call him at morning light." | |
| |
| "But where is the silent guest? | |
| In what chamber shall she rest? | |
| In this! Should she not go higher? | 15 |
| 'T is damp, and the fire is gone. | |
| "You need not kindle the fire, | |
| You need not call her at dawn." | |
| |
| Next morn he sallied forth | |
| On his journey to the North. | 20 |
| Oh, bright the sunlight shone | |
| Through boughs that the breezes stir; | |
| But for her was lifted a stone | |
| Under the churchyard fir. | |
