That very morn the Landlord's power

Had seized the little left,
And now the sufferer found himself

Of every thing bereft.

He leant his head upon his hand,

His elbow on his knee,
And so by Jaspar's side he sate,

And not a word said he.

“ Nay ..why so downcast!" Jaspar cried,

“ Come ..cheer up, Jonathan ! “Drink, neighbour, drink!’twill warm thy heart..

“Come! come ! take courage, man!"

He took the cup that Jaspar gave,

And down he drain’d it quick ; “ I have a wife,” said Jonathan,

“ She has no bed to lie upon,

“ I saw them take her bed... “ And I have children .. would to God

“ That they and I were dead!

“ Our Landlord he goes home to-night,

“ And he will sleep in peace.... “ I would that I were in my grave,

« For there all troubles cease.

“ In vain I pray'd him to forbear,

“ Though wealth enough has he! “ God be to him as merciless

“ As he has been to me !"

When Jaspar saw the poor man's soul

On all his ills intent, He plied him with the heartening cup,

And with him forth he went.

“ This landlord on his homeward road

“ 'Twere easy now to meet. “ The road is lonesome, Jonathan !..

“ And vengeance, man! is sweet.”

He listen’d to the tempter's voice,

The thought it made him start;.. His head was hot, and wretchedness

Had harden'd now his heart.

Along the lonely road they went

And waited for their prey, They sate them down beside the stream

That cross’d the lonely way.

They sate them down beside the stream

And never a word they said, They sate and listen’d silently

The night was calm, the night was dark,

No star was in the sky,
The wind it waved the willow boughs,

The stream flow'd quietly.

The night was calm, the air was still,

Sweet sung the nightingale ;
The soul of Jonathan was soothed,

His heart began to fail.

“ 'Tis weary waiting here,” he cried,

“ And now the hour is late,... “ Methinks he will not come to-night, . “ No longer let us wait.”

“ Have patience, man!" the ruffian said,

“ A little we may wait, “ But longer shall his wife expect

“ Her husband at the gate.”

Then Jonathan grew sick at heart,

“ My conscience yet is clear! “ Jaspar .. it is not yet too late ..

“ I will not linger here.”

“ How now!" cried Jaspar, “ why I thought

“ Thy conscience was asleep. “ No more such qualms, the night is dark,

“ The river here is deep.”

“ What matters that,” said Jonathan,'

Whose blood began to freeze, “ When there is One above whose eye

“ The deeds of darkness sees!"

“ We are safe enough,” said Jaspar then, : “ If that be all thy fear! “ Nor eye below, nor eye above,

“ Can pierce the darkness here."