XL

She hurried at his words, beset with fears,

      For there were sleeping dragons all around,

      At glaring watch, perhaps, with ready spears—

      Down the wide stairs a darkling way they found.—

      In all the house was heard no human sound.

      A chain-droop'd lamp was flickering by each door;

      The arras, rich with horseman, hawk, and hound,

      Flutter'd in the besieging wind's uproar;

And the long carpets rose along the gusty floor.