Ossian Collection > Aspects of poetry

-z^S^ 'THE WHITE DOE OF RYLSTONE.' [XTI.
it were, by reflectiveness of manner ; the thought, instead
of a rapid onward flow, keeps ever eddying round itself.
Canto IV. A clear full moon looks down upon the
insurgents beleaguering Barnard Castle on the river
Tees. The same moon shines on Rylstone Hall, with
its terraces, parterres, and the wild chase around it, all
untenanted, save by Emily and her White Doe. Here
is the description of it : —
' And southward far, with moors between,
Hill-tops, and floods, and forests green,
The bright moon sees that valley small,
Where Rylstone's old sequestered Hall
A venerable image yields
Of quiet to the neighbouring fields ;
While from one pillared chimney breathes
The smoke, and mounts in silver wreaths,
— The courts are hushed ; — for timely sleep
The grey-hounds to their kennel creep ;
The peacock in the broad ash-tree
Aloft is roosted for the night.
He who in proud prosperity
Of colours manifold and bright
Walked round, affronting the daylight ;
And higher still, above the bower
Where he is perched, from yon lone tower
The Hall-clock in the clear moonshine
With glittering finger points at nine.'
The gleam of natural loveliness here let in wonder-
fully relieves the pressure of the human sadness. Indeed,
the whole passage from which these lines come, gives
so truthfully, yet ideally, the image of an old family