Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.

Lowther

Lowther

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

LOWTHER! in thy majestic pile are seen

Cathedral pomp and grace, in apt accord

With the baronial castle’s sterner mien:

Union significant of God adored,

And charters won and guarded by the sword

Of ancient honor; whence that goodly state

Of polity which wise men venerate,

And will maintain, if God his help afford.

Hourly the democratic torrent swells;

For airy promises and hopes suborned

The strength of backward-looking thoughts is scorned.

Fall if ye must, ye towers and pinnacles,

With what ye symbolize; authentic story

Will say ye disappeared with England’s glory!