Joanna Baillie - Lines Written In Lady Lonsdale's Album, At Lowther Castle, Oct.13,1821 lyrics

SOMETIMES in youthful years, When in some ancient ruin I have stood, Alone and musing, till with quiet tears I felt my cheeks bedew'd, A melancholy thought hath made me grieve For this our age, and humbled me in mind, That it should pa** away and leave No monuments behind. Not for themselves alone Our fathers lived; nor with a n***ard hand Raised they the fabrics of enduring stone, Which yet adorn the land: Their piles, memorials of the mighty dead, Survive them still, majestic in decay; But ours are like ourselves, I said, The creatures of a day. With other feelings now, Lowther! have I beheld thy stately walls, Thy pinnacles, and broad embattled brow, And hospitable halls. The sun those wide spread battlements shall crest, And silent years unharming shall go by, Till centuries in their course invest Thy towers with sanctity. But thou the while shalt bear, To after times, an old and honour'd name, And to remote posterity declare, Thy founder's virtuous fame. Fair structure! worthy the triumphant age Of glorious England's opulence and power, Peace be thy lasting heritage, And happiness thy dower!