The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
Lead me, O Muse, along Aire's winding course,
To sing of Gordale—its tremendous source,
Where terror sits, and scorns the poet's pen,
The painter's pencil,—all the pow'rs of men:
Where sons of science oft confounded stand,
To view this wonder of the Almighty's hand!
Here, in dark shade, the rifted rocks appear,
The bursting cataracts assail the ear;
Projecting masses to the clouds are piled,
And Grandeur revels in her palace wild!
E'en those that to description would aspire,
Gaze mute with awe, and silently retire.
Here fierce banditti once securely slept,
And joyous revelled, while the plundered wept.
We now, secure, these awful cliffs survey,
Nor dread to fall the base assassin's prey.
To sing of Gordale—its tremendous source,
Where terror sits, and scorns the poet's pen,
The painter's pencil,—all the pow'rs of men:
2
To view this wonder of the Almighty's hand!
Here, in dark shade, the rifted rocks appear,
The bursting cataracts assail the ear;
Projecting masses to the clouds are piled,
And Grandeur revels in her palace wild!
E'en those that to description would aspire,
Gaze mute with awe, and silently retire.
Here fierce banditti once securely slept,
And joyous revelled, while the plundered wept.
We now, secure, these awful cliffs survey,
Nor dread to fall the base assassin's prey.
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |