The bard of the dales :: :: University of Virginia Library

Yes, many a lusty limb has gone to wreck,
Since thou was laid Cam-Brigg across yon beck,
And many a noble hero, stout and brave,
Has gone to ashes, in the silent grave!

Thou's been of use for years, to multitudes,
To seedsman, harvesters, and funeral crowds;
Yes, many a nimble foot, and mind forlorn
Across the tumbling waters thou has borne!

Since thou was laid, what changes have took place!
What births, what deaths, among the human race!
Great men have come and gone, by fame renown'd,
Realms overturn'd, and kings dethron'd, and crown'd.

What cities burnt, what battles won and lost,
Ships built and sunk, or on the ocean tost;
New lands discover'd, and superior light
To banish superstition, dark as night!

What frost, what heats, what troubles and delights,
Sun shiny days, and dismal stormy nights,—
Still o'er the murmuring stream, or furious flood,
Thou to thy post has long unshaken stood!

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Though many a thousand rubbers thou hast bore,
Thou still art strong, and very little wore;
Unblemish'd by disorder, cold or fever,
Thou still remains as good a bridge as ever.

Some have attempted for to lead across
Thy narrow bosom, the adventurous horse;
And some have slipt into the gulf beneath,
Which might have prov'd instantaneous death.

Some heroes thus have had their courage tried,
While others have gone safe from side to side;
Though this was nearer, 'tis beyond a doubt,
'Twas always safer to go round about.

But now thy time is up, thy reign is o'er,
For thou art here to be a bridge no more,
We are building now another in thy place,
To be admired by a future race.

And destine thee to lay in Low-wood-lane,
Where thou may be a bridge if earth remain,
Another hundred years, or two, or three;
A hundred years, is as a day to thee!

Hadst thou a tongue what stories would thou tell,
Of men and things, and how they rose and fell;
By thee I see life measured to a span,
Thy silence seems to say,—Poor short liv'd man!