Aubrey De Vere

Lismore

A MEETING of bright streams and valleys green;
Of heathy precipice; umbrageous glade;
Dark, dimpling eddies, ’neath bird-haunted shade;
White torrents gushing splintered rocks between;
With winding woodland roads; and, dimly seen
Through the deep dell ere hazy sunset fade,
Castle and spire and bridge, in gold arrayed;
While o’er the deepening mist of the ravine
The perspective of mountain looms afar.
Such was our Raleigh’s home, and here his eye
Drank deep of nature’s wild variety,
Feeding on hopes and dreams! From the world’s war
Retired, he dwelt; nor deemed how soon his star
Should set, dishonored, in a bloody sea!