University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The poetical works of William Wordsworth

... In six volumes ... A new edition
Wordsworth, William (1770-1850)

expand sectionI. 
VOL. I.
expand sectionII. 
VOL. II.
expand sectionIII. 
VOL. III.
expand sectionIV. 
VOL. IV.
expand sectionV. 
VOL. V.
collapse sectionVI. 
[volume]
expand section 
THE EXCURSION.
expand section 
[APPENDIX.]

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section The poetical works of William Wordsworth
next section

XLI. NUNNERY.

The floods are roused, and will not soon be weary;
Down from the Pennine Alps how fiercely sweeps
Croglin, the stately Eden's tributary!
He raves, or through some moody passage creeps
Plotting new mischief—out again he leaps
Into broad light, and sends, through regions airy,
That voice which soothed the Nuns while on the steeps
They knelt in prayer, or sang to blissful Mary.
That union ceased: then, cleaving easy walks
Through crags, and smoothing paths beset with danger,
Came studious Taste; and many a pensive stranger
Dreams on the banks, and to the river talks.
What change shall happen next to Nunnery Dell?
Canal, and Viaduct, and Railway, tell!

At Corby, a few miles below Nunnery, the Eden is crossed by a magnificent viaduct; and another of these works is thrown over a deep glen or ravine, at a very short distance from the main stream.


 

The chain of Crossfell.

previous section The poetical works of William Wordsworth
next section