 | Household Verses |  |
226
ORFORD CASTLE.
Beacon for barks that navigate the streamOf Ore, or Alde, or breast old Ocean's spray;
Land-mark for inland travellers—far away
O'er heath and sheep-walk—as bright morning's beam,
Or evening sunset's richer, mellower gleam
Lights up thy weather-beaten turrets grey;
Still dost thou bear thee bravely in decay,
As if thy by-gone glories were no dream!
E'en now with lingering grandeur thou look'st down
From thy once fortified, embattled hill,
Striving thine ancient office to fulfil;
And though thy keep be now the only crown
Of Orford's desolate and dwindled town,
Seem'st to assert thyself its sovereign still.
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