96 JOANNA'S ROCK 



The Rock, like something starting from a sleep, 20 

 Took up the Lady's voice, and laughed again ; 

 That ancient woman seated on Helm-crag 

 Was ready with her cavern ; Hammar-scar, 

 And the tall Steep of Silver-how, sent forth 

 A noise of laughter ; southern Loughrigg heard, 

 And Fairfield answered with a mountain tone; 

 Helvellyn far into the clear blue sky 

 Carried the Lady's voice, old Skiddaw blew 

 His speaking-trumpet; back out of the clouds 

 Of Glaramara southward came the voice; so 



And Kirkstone tossed it from his misty head. 



Now, whether this in simple truth were but 



A work accomplished by the brotherhood 



Of ancient mountains, or my ear was touched 



With dreams and visionary impulses 



To me alone imparted, sure I am 



That there was a loud uproar in the hills. 



And, while we both were listening, to my side 



The fair Joanna drew, as if she wished 



To shelter from some object of her fear. 40 



And hence, long afterwards, when eighteen moons 

 Were wasted, as I chanced to walk alone 

 Beneath this rock, at sunrise, on a calm 

 And silent morning, I sat down, and there, 

 In memory of affections old and true, 

 I chiselled out in these rude characters 

 Joanna's name deep in the living stone: 

 And I, and all who dwell by my fireside, 

 Have called the lovely rock JOANNA'S ROCK. 



W. WORDSWORTH. 



