Anna Seward

Sonnet 86. Pride of Ierne's Sea-encircled bound

 TO THE LAKE OF KILLARNEY[1].

Pride of Ierne's Sea-encircled bound,
    Rival of all Britannia's Naiads boast,
    Magnificent Killarney!—from thy coast
    Tho' mountains rise with noblest woods embrown'd;
Tho' ten-voiced Echos send the cannon's sound
    In thunders bursting the vast rocks around,
    Till startled Wonder and Delight exhaust
    In countless repercussion—Isles embost
Upon thy liquid glass; their bloomy veil
    Sorbus and ārbutus;—yet not for thee
    So keenly wakes our local ecstacy,
As o'er the narrow, barren, silent Dale,
    Where deeply sleeps, rude circling Rocks among,
    The Love-devoted Fount enamour'd Petrarch sung.