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Sonnets Round the Coast

by H. D. Rawnsley
  

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VIII. AT MUNCASTER,
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84

VIII. AT MUNCASTER,

AFTER THE GALE OF DECEMBER 11, 1883.

Wild was the wind, which, out of darkness borne,
From that dread West of evil and of death,
Broke on your royal pines, and with fierce breath
Blasted the life of centuries. Forlorn,
The squirrel wakened to a bitter morn;
The rookery clanged unresting; and beneath,
The shy stag browsed in wonder, with the wreath
Of Christmas ivy hung upon his horn.
I grieve not for the pines—with faithfulness
Their masts may bend in many a stout ship set,
Outriding Death, triumphant o'er the gale:
This is the burden of my vain regret,—
Whene'er I wander down the woodland vale,
I hear the groans of innocence in distress.