Geoffrey Hill - Mercian Hymns: I lyrics

King of the perennial holly-groves, the riven sand- stone: overlord of the M5: architect of the his- toric rampart and ditch, the citadel at Tamsworth, the summer hermitage in Holy Cross: guardian of the Welsh Bridge and the Iron Bridge: contractor to the desirable new estates: saltmaster: money- changer: commissioner for oaths: martyrologist: the friend of Charlemagne. ‘I liked that,' said Offa, ‘sing it again.'