Aerial Rock—whose solitary brow

Aerial Rock—whose solitary brow
From this low threshold daily meets my sight;
When I look forth to hail the morning light,
Or quit the stars with lingering farewell—how
Shall I discharge to thee a grateful vow?—
By planting on thy head (in verse, at least,
As I have often done in thought) the crest
Of an imperial Castle, which the plough
Of ruin shall not touch. Innocent scheme!
That doth presume no more than to supply
A grace the sinuous vale and roaring stream
Want, through neglect of hoar Antiquity.
Rise, then, ye votive Towers, and catch a gleam
Of golden sun-set—ere it fade and die!