of 



" Worthy indeed of note 

 Are those fraternal yews of lone Skelldale, 

 Joined in one solemn and capacious grove ; 

 Huge trunks ! and each particular trunk a growth 

 Of intertwisted fibres serpentine, 

 Nor uninformed with phantasy, and looks 

 That threaten the profane ; a pillared shade, 

 Upon whose grassless floor of red-brown hue, 

 By sheddings from the pining umbrage tinged 

 Perennially, beneath whose sable roof 

 Of boughs, as if for festal purpose decked 

 With unrejoicing berries, ghostly shapes 

 May meet at noon-tide : Fear and trembling hope, 

 Silence and foresight death the skeleton, 

 And time the shadow there to celebrate, 

 As in a natural temple, scatter'd o'er 

 With altars undisturb'd of mossy stone, 

 United worship ; or in mute repose 

 To lie and listen to the mountain stream." 



WORDSWORTH. 



THE busy hum of men has long ceased from the spot 

 where stand the fraternal yew-trees. Ages have passed 

 away since the illuminator sat intent on his pleasant 

 labours in the ruin hard by since he put aside his liquid 



