II. To JOANNA. Amid the smoke of cities did you pass Your time of early youth, and there you learn'd, The living Beings by your own fire-side, With such a strong devotion, that your heart groves. Among the woods and fields, we love you well, Joanna and I guess, since you have been So distant from us now for two long years, That they, with whom you once were happy, talk While I was seated, now some ten days past, Their ancient neighbour, the old Steeple tower, He with grave looks demanded, for what cause, I like a Runic Priest, in characters Of formidable size, had chisel'd out Some uncouth name upon the native rock, Above the Rotha, by the forest side. And this was my reply." As it befel, -'Twas that delightful season, when the broom, Our pathway led us on to Rotha's banks, And when we came in front of that tall rock Which looks towards the East, I there stopp'd short, And trac'd the lofty barrier with my eye From base to summit; such delight I found To note in shrub and tree, in stone and flower, Along so vast a surface, all at once, In one impression, by connecting force Of their own beauty, imag'd in the heart. That ravishment of mine, and laugh'd aloud.. Carried the Lady's voice,-old Skiddaw blew Smil'd in my face) this were in simple truth A work accomplish'd by the brotherhood Of ancient mountains, or my ear was touch'd Is not for me to tell; but sure I am That there was a loud uproar in the hills. And, while we both were listening, to my side The fair Joanna drew, is if she wish'd To shelter from some object of her fear. -And hence, long afterwards, when eighteen moons Were wasted, as I chanc'd to walk alone Beneath this rock, at sun-rise, on a calm And silent morning, I sate down, and there, In memory of affections old and true, I chissel'd out in those rude characters And I, and all who dwell by my fire-side Have call'd the lovely rock, Joanna's Rock." NOTE. In Cumberland and Westmoreland are several Inscriptions upon the native rock which from the wasting of Time and |