| Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893. | | | | Tales of a Wayside Inn | Part First.
Finale |
| | | THE HOUR was late; the fire burned low, | |
| The Landlord’s eyes were closed in sleep, | |
| And near the story’s end a deep, | |
| Sonorous sound at times was heard, | |
| As when the distant bagpipes blow. | 5 |
| At this all laughed; the Landlord stirred, | |
| As one awaking from a swound, | |
| And, gazing anxiously around, | |
| Protested that he had not slept, | |
| But only shut his eyes, and kept | 10 |
| His ears attentive to each word. | |
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| Then all arose, and said “Good Night.” | |
| Alone remained the drowsy Squire | |
| To rake the embers of the fire, | |
| And quench the waning parlor light; | 15 |
| While from the windows, here and there, | |
| The scattered lamps a moment gleamed, | |
| And the illumined hostel seemed | |
| The constellation of the Bear, | |
| Downward, athwart the misty air, | 20 |
| Sinking and setting toward the sun. | |
| Far off the village clock struck one. | | | | |
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