Craven Blossoms or, Poems chiefly connected with the district of Craven. By Robert Storey |
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| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. | XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
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| 1. |
| 2. |
 | Craven Blossoms |  |
XIX.
Like the vast area of some TowerWhich once hath been a place of power,
And where the hand of Ruin all
Hath rest of each interior wall,
Yet spared the outward barriers still,
High, massive, indestructible,
Upon the Strangers' glance at first
The rugged glooms of Gordale burst.
In front, and on the right, up-sprung
The living rock, and forward hung,
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A darksome shade o'er half the space,—
Till, far above, it almost closed
With the gigantic rocks opposed,
Leaving small room through which to mark
A sky portentous, grim, and dark.
Beneath, the floor was all bestrown
With fragments which the cliffs had thrown,
As slow decay, or lightning-stroke
Disjoined them from the parent rock.
—The Guide observed the Lady's eye
With some alarm these omens spy,
And motioned—for a torrent near
Forbade a word to reach the ear—
That she and all should follow him:
He led them to the basis grim
Of that far-slanting rock, where—free
From aught save Earthquake's jeopardy—
They stood and saw with marvel new
Fresh scenery opened to their view.
| Craven Blossoms | |