Chapter LXIX

by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

　　CHAPTER LXIX.

　　CONCERNING A SECOND HURRICANE THAT RAGED IN CAPTAIN DEVEREUX'S DRAWING-ROOM, AND RELATING HOW MRS. IRONS WAS ATTACKED WITH A SORT OF CHOKING IN HER BED.

　　And the china bowl, with its silver ladle, and fine fragrance of lemon and old malt whiskey, and a social pair of glasses, were placed on the table by fair Mistress Irons; and Devereux filled his glass, and Toole did likewise; and the little doctor rattled on; and Devereux threw in his word, and finally sang a song. 'Twas a ballad, with little in the words; but the air was sweet and plaintive, and so was the singer's voice:—

　　      'A star so High,

　　      In my sad sky,

　　  I've early loved and late:

　　      A clear lone star,

　　      Serene and far,

　　  Doth rule my wayward fate.

　　      'Tho' dark and chill

　　      The night be still,

　　  A light comes up for me:

　　      In eastern skies

　　      My star doth rise,

　　  And fortune dawns for me.

　　  'And proud and bold,

　　      My way I hold;

　　  For o'er me high I see,

　　      In night's deep blue,

　　      My star shine true,

　　  And fortune beams on me.

　　      'Now onward still,

　　      Thro' dark and chill,

　　  My lonely way must be;

　　      In vain regret,

　　      My star will set,

　　  And fortune's dark for me.

　　      'And whether glad,

　　      Or proud, or sad,

　　  Or howsoe'er I be;

　　      In dawn or noon,

　　      Or setting soon,

　　  My star, I'll follow thee.'