Joined door above to door below. Its strain

 Here faithful Eric found himself immured To try if gloom and fear Of tortures dire Could wring from him a secret held more dear Than life itself. Nay! Famine, rack, and fire, Swift death or tortures slow—all, all should be endured 

Here faithful Eric found himself immured

To try if gloom and fear

Of tortures dire

Could wring from him a secret held more dear

Than life itself. Nay! Famine, rack, and fire,

 For his dear lady's sake. Though but a page He'd learn to value truth In word and deed From her whose noble love inspired his youth And taught him lessons from her living creed. Her foe had thrown the glove he dared take up the gage. 

For his dear lady's sake. Though but a page

He'd learn to value truth

In word and deed

From her whose noble love inspired his youth

And taught him lessons from her living creed.

 

 

 Eric Entombed. 

 Entombed alive! A struggling streak of light Made visible the gloom,— His living shroud. He felt himself alive yet without room To live or breathe. He groaned, then cried aloud, "O God, while in this porch of hell, be Thou my light!" 

Entombed alive! A struggling streak of light

Made visible the gloom,—

His living shroud.

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