In thought absorb'd, explor'd, with care, The wild lanes round the silent GAER*, Where conqu'ring eagles took their stand; 33 * A road must have led from Abergavenny, through the Vale of the Usk, north-west to the "Gaer," situated two miles north-west of Brecon, on a gentle eminence, at the conflux of the rivers Esker and Usk. Mr. Wyndham traced parts of walls, which he describes as exactly resembling those at Caerleon; and Mr. Lemon found several bricks, bearing the inscription of LEG. II. AVG.-Coxe. In addition to the above, it may be acceptable to state, that Mr. Price, a very intelligent farmer on the spot, has in his possession several of the above kind of bricks, bearing the same inscription, done, evidently, by stamping the clay, while moist, with an instrument. These have been turned up by the plough, together with several small Reman lamps. Where soldiers of AUGUSTUS pin'd, 37 Perhaps, for pleasures left behind, And measur'd, from this lone abode, The new-form'd, stoney, forest road, Back to CAERLEON'S Southern train, Their barks, their home, beyond the main; Of Alpine scenes, and mountain song, The olive groves, and cloudless sky, And golden vales of Italy. With us 'twas peace, we met no foes; With us far diff'rent feelings rose. Still onward inclination bade; The wilds of MONA's Druid shade, SNOWDON'S Sublime and stormy brow, His land of Britons stretch'd below, And PENMAN MAWR's huge crags, that greet The thund'ring ocean at his feet, To quit a land so dearly lov'd; Of northern Cambria's giant coast. The deep regret that, whilst I live, Shall dwell upon my heart and tongue; Go, joys untasted, themes unsung, Another scene, another land, Hence shall the homeward verse demand. Yet fancy wove her flow'ry chain, Till "farewell BRECON" left a pain; A pain that travellers may endure, Change is their food, and change their cure. 53 |