The floods are roused, and will not soon be weary; Down from the Pennine Alps[947] how fiercely sweeps Croglin, the stately Eden's tributary![948] He raves, or through some moody passage creeps Plotting new mischief--out again he leaps 5 Into broad light, and sends, through regions airy,[949] That voice which soothed the Nuns while on the steeps They knelt in prayer, or sang to blissful Mary.[950] That union ceased: then, cleaving easy walks Through crags, and smoothing paths beset with danger, Came studious Taste; and many a pensive stranger 11 Dreams on the banks, and to the river talks. What change shall happen next to Nunnery Dell?[951] Canal, and Viaduct, and Railway, tell![952] FOOTNOTES: [946] Nunnery; so named from the House for Benedictine Nuns established by William Rufus.--ED. [947] The chain of Crossfell[953]--W. W. 1835. [948] The two streams of the Croglin and the Eden unite in the grounds of Nunnery.--ED. [949] 1835. Seeking in vain broad light, and regions aery. MS. [950] 1835. But with that voice which once high on his steeps Mingled with vespers, sung to blissful Mary-- MS. [951] 1835. ... to Croglin Dell? MS. [952] At Corby, a few miles below Nunnery, the Eden is crossed by a magnificent viaduct; and another of these works is thrown over a deep glen or ravine at a very short distance from the main stream.--W. W. 1835. [953] 1845. which parts Cumberland and Westmoreland from Northumberland and Durham. 1835. XLII STEAMBOATS, VIADUCTS, AND RAILWAYS Motions and Means, on land and sea[954] at war With old poetic feeling, not for this, Shall ye, by Poets even, be judged amiss! Nor shall your presence, howsoe'er it mar The loveliness of Nature, prove a bar 5 To the Mind's gaining that prophetic sense Of future change, that point of vision, whence May be discovered what in soul ye are. In spite of all that beauty may disown In your harsh features, Nature doth embrace 10 Her lawful offspring in Man's art; and Time, Pleased with your triumphs o'er his brother Space, Accepts from your bold hands the proffered crown Of hope, and smiles on you with cheer sublime.[955] FOOTNOTES: [954] 1835. ... on sea or land ... Version in _The Morning Post_. [955] Compare the Sonnet _On the Projected Kendal and Windermere Railway_, written in 1844.--ED. XLIII THE MONUMENT COMMONLY CALLED LONG MEG AND HER DAUGHTERS, NEAR THE RIVER EDEN[956] Composed, _probably_, in 1821.--Published 1822