Wednesday, September 28, 2005

The Rollright Stones from Drayton's Poly-olbion: 1613 edition; pp 222, Thirteenth Song

As an vnlettred man, at the desired sight
Of some rare beautie moo'ud with infinite delight
Not out of his owne spirit, but by that power diuine,
Which through a sparkling eye perspicuously doth shine,
Feels his hard temper yeeld, that hee in passion breaks
And things beyond his height, transported strangely speaks:
So those that dwell in mee, and liue by frugall toyle,
When they in my defence are reasoning of my soyle,
As wrapt with my wealth and beauties, learned growe
And in wel-fitting tearmes, and noble language showe
the Lordships in my Lands, from Rolright (which remains
A Witnesse of that day we wonne vpon the Danes)
To Tawcester wel-neer: twixt which, they vse to tell
Of places which they say do Rumney's selfe excell.

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