In Cornwall and Across the Sea With Poems Written in Devonshire. By Douglas B. W. Sladen |
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TOR STEPS |
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 | In Cornwall and Across the Sea |  |
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TOR STEPS
—A BRITISH BRIDGE NEAR EXMOOR.
Tor Steps,—a relic of the ancient raceWho ruled the land, a causeway of vast stones
Built in the days of men with giants' bones
And heroes' might,—thou standest in thy place
After Time's storms have conquered to efface
The Celt's and Saxon's, Dane's and Norman's thrones.
Who knows if thou hast heard not ringing tones
From Arthur, glowing with an Exmoor chace,
Or rooting out some robber-prince, who made
His fastness in the savage moorland combes,
Or maybe with a gentle cavalcade
Of ladies in rich silks from ancient looms?
The bridge stands: the brown river ripples on:
But errant-knight and tourney-queen have gone.
| In Cornwall and Across the Sea | |