His treasure, his presents, his spacious domain Soon made her untrue to her vows: He dazzled her eyes; he bewildered her brain; He caught her affections so light and so vain, And carried her home as his spouse.

And now had the marriage been blest by the priest; The revelry now was begun: The tables, they groaned with the weight of the feast; Nor yet had the laughter and merriment ceased, When the bell of the castle tolled⁠—one!

Then first with amazement fair Imogine found That a stranger was placed by her side: his air was terrific; He uttered no sound; he spoke not, he moved not, He looked not around, But earnestly gazed on the bride.

His visor was closed, and gigantic his height; His armour was sable to view: All pleasure and laughter were hushed at his sight; The dogs as they eyed him drew back in affright, The lights in the chamber burned blue!

His presence all bosoms appeared to dismay; The guests sat in silence and fear. At length spoke the bride, while she trembled; “I pray, sir knight, that your helmet aside you would lay, And deign to partake of our cheer.”

The lady is silent: the stranger complies. His visor he slowly unclosed: Oh! God! what a sight met fair Imogine’s eyes! What words can express her dismay and surprise, When a skeleton’s head was exposed.

All present then uttered a terrified shout; All turned with disgust from the scene. The worms, they crept in, and the worms, they crept out, And sported his eyes and his temples about, While the spectre addressed Imogine.