Canto VI

Round midnight must have been the time of day,
When John beheld a light not far away;
Approaching closer still, he found the light
The window of a house is, lit up bright.

When John saw this, he mused this wise: "I think
I sorely need a rest and food and drink,
This surely is a tavern in this wood
To rest here over night will do me good."

John was in error though, 't was not an inn.
Twelve robbers had th.eir headquarters within.
The reason why the house was lit up bright
Was, all the robbers were at home that night.

Night, robbers, sword and gun — consider well —
Are things which might of dangers great foretell —
John's heart was brave and stout, he knew no fear.
He entered, greeting them with loud and clear

Bold voice. "Good evening, Sirs, God bless you all!"
A migthy tumult rose within the hall,
The twelve men rose, they reached for gun and

sword;
Thus spoke to him the leader of the horde:

"Thou son of misery! how dost thou dare
Cross o'er this threshold of our hidden lair
Hast father, mother thou? Hast thou a wife?
Thou wilt not see them anymore in life."

John's heart, on hearing this, remained serene,
No trace of pallor on his face was seen.
The leader's threat had left him selfpossessed,
This is the answer he aloud expressed: :

"Who has for aught in life something to fear
"Is wise if to this place he comes not near,
"But life or death, to me, are all the same,
"I care naught who you are, I boldly came

"And, therefore, if you can, then let me live,
"And for the rest of night some shelter give,
"But if .you think 'tis best that I should die
"Here! strike the blow! I will not raise a cry."

Said it all quietly and then stood still.
Amazement does the dozen robbers fill.
The chief spoke up, — but first he nearer drew, —
"List', brother, I've to say a thing or two."

"Thou art as brave a lad I ever knew
"God made thee for a robber, good and true,
"Life is despised by thee, death fearest not,
"We need thee, come, and cast with us thy lot.

"To steal, to rob, to Skill, that is our fun,
"Our prey 's the richest by thieves ever won
"These barrels are full of gold, just look around,
"Come, lad, have we in thee a comrade found?"

Ludicrous thoughts his quick brain vivified,
Apparently good natured he replied:
"This day is of my woeful life the best,
"That I am yours, this handshake shall attest!"

"That still it better be" — the leader cried,
"Let's now the bumpers fill, we're well supplied
"With splendid wines from cave of priests we stole,
"Let's see the bottom of our flowing bowl."

They did. The bowl coursed round and round again.
Wine made their heads the churchyards of their
Our John took carefully but frugal sips, brain

Though urged to drink, he only wet his lips.

The wine brought sleep to the twelve robbers' eyes,
— The very thing on which our John relies, —
When to the right and left dead-drunk they fell.
John to himself said this: "This goeth well.

"Good night to you, you sleep here, I suppose,
"Till angel Gabriel his trumpet blows!
"Revenging hundreds innocents you slew
"I now shall bring eternal night to you!"

"Now for the barrels of gold. I'll fill my bag.
"Which I then home, to thee, sweet Helen, drag.
"No more thy mean stepmothers slave thou'lt be!
"I take thee for my wife, 'tis God's decree!

"Right in our hamlet I'll have built a house,
"And into it I'll lead thee as my spouse.
"There we shall live, life's cares behind as leave,
"As lived in Paradise Adam and Eve.

"But oh! my God! my Lord, What do I say?
"I take with me these robbers' cursed prey?
"Each piece of gold I find must be blood-stained,
"With wealth like that no bliss was ever gained.

"I shall not touch this gold; no, not a piece,
Did L my conscience would have no peace.
"Bear bravely, Helen dear, life's struggle and strife,
"To God above entrust thy orphaned life.

When through with his -soliloquising speech,
John came out with a burning light, to each
Four corners of the roof applies the light,
Upleaped the angry flames into the height.

A second, — and the roof 's a ball of fire,
The flame's red streaks leap high and higher,
The smoke had turned to black the sky's clear blue,
The bright moon of before showed pallor's hue.

The heat, the smoke, the bright glow of the flame
Aroused the owls and bats and forth they came,
Their flight disturbed as on their wings to rise:
Sways e'en the twigs of trees of larger size.

The first rays of the rising sun threw light
Upon a smoking pile, a ghastly sight
Behold as through the wreck'd window they peep:
Twelve skeletons, charred, lie there in a heap...