The Monk of Ravenne was daring and great,

He had risk'd his life for the Church's estate;

He was loved by all who the Virgin love,

And the Pope and he were hand and glove;

Not a deed was done by friars or men,

But that deed was known to the Monk of Ravenne.

The Monk of Ravenne on his death-bed lay,

His eyes were closed to the light of day,

His ears drank in the fathers' prayers,

And his soul shook off its earthly cares;

Many a tongue and many a pen

Moved in praise of the Monk of Ravenne.

The Monk of Ravenne in the tomb was placed,

With noble and fair the chapel was graced,

The requiem rose with the organ's swell,

And an hundred voices peal'd his knell;

The lightning flash'd, and up started agen[9]

The ghastly form of the Monk of Ravenne.

"Fools!" cried the monk, "do you pray for me,

Who have plunder'd you all, of every degree?

I have blasted your fame, I have mock'd at your shrine,

And now do I suffer this doom of mine,

'Deserted of heaven, detested of men,

Lost, body and soul, is the Monk of Ravenne!'"