Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/On Visiting the Ruins of Kenilworth

On Visiting the Ruins of Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire.

On princely Kenilworth's romantic siteI stand, enwrapped in shadows of the past!Those time-clad remnants, yet sublimely vast,Memorials of magnificence and might, Tell us a tale of wonder. They recall, To Fancy's vision many a lordly scene, What time chivalrous England's virgin queenGraced martial tournament, and festive hall,A sovereign and a guest! Instructive pile! We learn, while musing 'mid thy ruined maze,The story of thy former greatness—while On every breeze there comes a voice which says, "Though earthly grace and grandeur have their day,Their night, like thine, will come—their darkness and decay!"