It stood embosomed in a happy valley,

Crowned by high woodlands, where the Druid oak[669]Stood like Caractacus, in act to rally

His host, with broad arms 'gainst the thunder-stroke;

And from beneath his boughs were seen to sally

The dappled foresters; as Day awoke,

The branching stag swept down with all his herd,

To quaff a brook which murmured like a bird.