The Banks of Wye   By: Robert Bloomfield (1766-1823)

THE BANKS OF WYE;

A POEM.

In Four Books.

By ROBERT BLOOMFIELD,

Author of The Farmer's Boy .

London: Printed for the Author; Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe, Poultry; and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Paternoster Row;

1811.

Printed by T. Hood and Co., St. John's Square, London.

To THOMAS LLOYD BAKER, ESQ. Of Stout's Hill, Uley, And His Excellent Lady; And ROBERT BRANSBY COOPER, ESQ. Of Ferwey Hill, Dursley, In The County Of Gloucester, And All The Members Of His Family, THIS JOURNAL IS DEDICATED, With Sentiments Of High Esteem, And A Lively Recollection Of Past Pleasures, By Their Humble Servant, THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

In the summer of 1807, a party of my good friends in Gloucestershire proposed to themselves a short excursion down the Wye, and through part of South Wales.

While this plan was in agitation, the lines which I had composed on "Shooter's Hill," during ill health, and inserted in my last volume, obtained their particular attention. A spirit of prediction, as well as sorrow, is there indulged; and it was now in the power of this happy party to falsify such predictions, and to render a pleasure to the writer of no common kind. An invitation to accompany them was the consequence; and the following Journal is the result of that invitation.

Should the reader, from being a resident, or frequent visitor, be well acquainted with the route, and able to discover inaccuracies in distances, succession of objects, or local particulars, he is requested to recollect, that the party was out but ten days; a period much too short for correct and laborious description, but quite sufficient for all the powers of poetry which I feel capable of exerting. The whole exhibits the language and feelings of a man who had never before seen a mountainous country; and of this it is highly necessary that the reader should be apprized.

A Swiss, or perhaps a Scottish Highlander, may smile at supposed or real exaggerations; but they will be excellent critics, when they call to mind that they themselves judge, in these cases, as I do, by comparison.

Perhaps it may be said, that because much of public approbation has fallen to my lot, it was unwise to venture again. I confess that the journey left such powerful, such unconquerable impressions on my mind, that embodying my thoughts in rhyme became a matter almost of necessity. To the parties concerned I know it will be an acceptable little volume: to whom, and to the public, it Is submitted with due respect.

ROBERT BLOOMFIELD.

City Road, London,

June 30,1811

THE BANKS OF WYE.

BOOK I.

CONTENTS OF BOOK I.

The Vale of Uley. Forest of Dean. Ross. Wilton Castle. Goodrich Castle. Courtfield, Welch Bicknor, Coldwell. Gleaner's Song. Coldwell Rocks. Symmon's Yat. Great Doward. New Wier. Arthur's Hall. Martin's Well. The Coricle. Arrival at Monmouth.

THE BANKS OF THE WYE.

BOOK I.