 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
XVII. WALNA CRAG, AND ‘THE LADY'S RAKE,’ DERWENTWATER.
1895.
Not Skiddaw, not Blencathara's ‘skiey height,’
Not Derwent Isle, Lodare, not Borrodale,
So charmed in youth, so cheer in age my sight
As thou, O Walna Crag, and that sad tale
Of her who, rebel-roused at dead of night,
Caught up her Babe new-born; still weak and frail
Clasping that Babe found strength yon cliff to scale
While fought far off her Lord to attest a right
By sophists mocked. King James' fall was just:
He sinned; but blameless was King James' son;
His claim was owned by James' ill-crowned daughter:
Who charged with crime that Royal Youth? Not one!
Who died to vindicate that claim august?
That peerless Lady's Consort—Derwentwater.
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |