For all you shatter is our seeming, And in breaking we are free

Excerpt from 'The Hand of Glory' by Richard Harris Barham:


'For low, yet clear. Now fall on the ear
---Where once pronounced for ever they dwell---
The unholy words of the Dead Man's spell!

"Open lock To the Dead Man's knock!
Fly bolt, and bar, and band!---
Nor move, nor swerve, Joint, or muscle, or nerve,
At the spell of the Dead Man's hand!
Sleep all who sleep! ---Wake all who wake!---
But be as the Dead for the Dead Man's sake!"

Now lock, nor bolt, nor bar avails,
Nor stout oak panel thick-studded with nails,
Heavy and harsh the hinges creak,
Though they had been oil'd in the course of the week;
The door opens wide as wide may be,
And there they stand, That murderous band,
Lit by the light of that GLORIOUS HAND,
By one! ---By two! ---By three!'
 

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This guy has a fabulously ghoulish sense of humour. My grandad gave me a book of his 'Legends' printed in 1840 (I think). It's fabulous!