And he saw the oaken casket, where

    Lay hid that cup of grace,

   Since that fearful day, when the traitor foe

    Wrought ruin on his race.

   "Thou cursed thing," he cried in scorn,

    "That ever such 'Luck' should be;

   From Muncaster's house, ill-boding fiend,

    Thou shalt vanish eternally."

   He kicked the casket o'er and o'er

    With rage and contumely;

   When, lo! a tinkling sound was heard—

    Down dropped a glittering key!

   He remembered well the wondrous speech

    Of the spectre dwarf again,

   "There's a key in Muncaster Castle can break

    A maiden's heart in twain!"

   He took the key, and he turned the lock,

    And he opened the casket wide;

   When the cause of all his agony

    The lover now espied.

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