For the Apartment in CHEPSTOW-CASTLE where HENRY MARTEN the Regicide was imprisoned Thirty Years.

  For thirty years secluded from mankind,

  Here Marten linger'd. Often have these walls

  Echoed his footsteps, as with even tread

  He paced around his prison: not to him

  Did Nature's fair varieties exist;

  He never saw the Sun's delightful beams,

  Save when thro' yon high bars it pour'd a sad

  And broken splendor. Dost thou ask his crime?

  He had rebell'd against the King, and sat

  In judgment on him; for his ardent mind

  Shaped goodliest plans of happiness on earth,

  And peace and liberty. Wild dreams! But such

  As PLATO lov'd; such as with holy zeal

  Our MILTON worshipp'd. Blessed hopes! awhile

  From man withheld, even to the latter days,

  When CHRIST shall come and all things be fulfill'd.