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.