Sonnets written chiefly during a tour through Holland, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Hungary. By Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley |
 |
SONNET.
|
 | Sonnets |  |
10
SONNET.
THE BANKS OF THE RHINE.
It is a wonderous and impressive scene,Rocks heaved o'er rocks, in wild confusion here,
At once sublime and horrid—proud and drear,
Make stern what else would be indeed serene.
'Tis here that War in fiercest sway hath been,
'Tis here that Peace, most perfect and most dear,
With Plenty leans o'er terraced slopes, where tier
O'er tier shows vinyarded, and leafing green;
Nature puts on her loveliness once more,
And all is as her shadow in the land—
Yet, as of old, upon each swelling shore
Mark many an impress of man's mighty hand!—
But now of gentlest culture 'tis;—fair store
Springs thence—not savage spoils—fair store and bland!
| Sonnets | |