"The weathering of the volcanic ash of the Pen and the cliff of Wallabarrow opposite would naturally have suggested this sonnet. Evidence of ice-marking and glacier-action are not wanting in the neighbourhood." (H. D. Rawnsley.)] XVII RETURN A dark plume fetch me from yon blasted yew, Perched on whose top the Danish Raven croaks; Aloft, the imperial Bird[445] of Rome invokes Departed ages, shedding where he flew[446] Loose fragments of wild wailing, that bestrew 5 The clouds and thrill the chambers of the rocks; And into silence hush the timorous flocks, That, calmly couching[447] while the nightly dew Moistened each fleece, beneath the twinkling stars Slept amid[448] that lone Camp on Hardknot's height, 10 Whose Guardians bent the knee to Jove and Mars: Or, near[449] that mystic Round of Druid frame Tardily sinking by its proper weight Deep into patient Earth, from whose smooth breast it came! VARIANTS: [Footnote 445: 1820. Wheeling aloft the Bird ... 1838. The text of 1840 returns to that of 1820. ] [Footnote 446: 1820. ... and still sheds anew 1838. The text of 1840 returns to that of 1820. ] [Footnote 447: 1827. That slept so calmly ... 1820. ] [Footnote 448: 1827. These couch'd mid ... 1820. ] [Footnote 449: 1827. These near ... 1820. ] XVIII SEATHWAITE CHAPEL[FQ] Sacred Religion! "mother of form and fear,"[FR] Dread arbitress of mutable respect, New rites ordaining when the old are wrecked, Or cease to please the fickle worshipper, Mother of Love! (that name best suits thee here)[450] 5 Mother of Love! for this deep vale, protect Truth's holy lamp, pure source of bright effect, Gifted to purge the vapoury atmosphere That seeks to stifle it;--as in those days When this low Pile a Gospel Teacher knew, 10 Whose good works formed an endless retinue: A Pastor such as Chaucer's verse portrays;[451][FS] Such as the heaven-taught skill of Herbert drew;[FT] And tender Goldsmith crowned with deathless praise![FU] VARIANTS: [Footnote 450: 1837. ... the fickle worshipper; If one strong wish may be embosomed here, 1820. ] [Footnote 451: 1845. Such Priest as Chaucer sang in fervent lays; 1820. ] FOOTNOTES: