296 ROMAN ANTIQUITIES. of Pembroke, &c., for a memorial of her last parting with her pious mother, Margaret Countess Dowager of Cumberland, on the 2d of April, 1616; in memory whereof she hath left an annuity of 4l. to be distributed to the poor of the parish of Brougham, every 2d day of April for ever, upon the stone table hard by. Laus Deo!" WHILE the Poor gather round, till the end of time XXV. ROMAN ANTIQUITIES. [FROM THE ROMAN STATION AT OLD PENRITH.] How profitless the relics that we cull, To high, or idle agitations lull! Of the world's flatteries if the brain be full, Of him who gloried in its nodding plume. 1 1837. insatiate 1835. h her a the of 4 w time APOLOGY. The Sage's theory? the Poet's lay?— Obsolete lamps, whose light no time recals; 297 I am indebted to Dr Taylor of Penrith for the following note in reference to these "Roman Antiquities" at Old Penrith :-" DEAR SIR,-I have great pleasure in giving you what information I can, concerning the Roman Station of Old Penrith. It is called 'Petriana' by Camden, but most archæologists now allocate it in the 2nd Iter,' as the Station Voreda'-on the road between York and Carlisle. This road passes over Stanemoor, by Bowes, Brough, Kirkbythore, Brougham, and Plumpton Wall (or Voreda), to Lugovallum or Carlisle. The Roman Camps are visible at all these places, and the old Roman road is recognizable in many parts. This Old Penrith, Plumpton Wall, or Voreda, is a camp of the third class. At a time, probably about the period which Wordsworth alludes to, several Roman stones and altars were dug up at Voreda, and are now deposited in Lowther Castle. Wordsworth had relations living in Penrith, whom he used to visit occasionally, and it is probable that after a visit to Voreda, which is about six miles from here, he wrote the Sonnet alluded to. The 'Hartshorn Tree' referred to in the 'Legend of the Hunt of the Stag' stood in the park of Whinfell, in the parish of Brougham, but has disappeared for many years."—ED. XXVI. APOLOGY FOR THE FOREGOING POEMS. No more the end is sudden and abrupt, 1 1845. Of Palace, or of Temple, 1835. Of famed Persepolis ;* each following each, In set array; these bearing in their hands Of the Great King; and others, as they go Nor will the Power we serve, that sacred Power, A' ministration humble but sincere, That from a threshold loved by every Muse Nor will the Muse condemn, or treat with scorn 1835. Compare Processions in the Vale of Chamouny, Vol. VI. p. 270.-ED. THE HIGHLAND BROACH. 299 XXVII. THE HIGHLAND BROACH. [On ascending a hill that leads from Loch Awe towards Inverary, I fell into conversation with a woman of the humbler class who wore one of those Highland Broaches. I talked with her about it; and upon parting with her, when I said with a kindness I truly felt-May that Broach continue in your family through many generations to come, as you have already possessed it"-she thanked me most becomingly and seemed not a little moved.] 66 The exact resemblance which the old Broach (still in use, though rarely met with, among the Highlanders) bears to the Roman Fibula must strike every one, and concurs, with the plaid and kilt, to recal to mind the communication which the ancient Romans had with this remote country. IF to Tradition faith be due, And echoes from old verse speak true, Glad tidings to Iona's shore, No common light of nature blessed Yet peaceful Arts did entrance gain 300 THE HIGHLAND BROACH. On road or path, or at the door Of fern-thatched hut on heathy moor: The heroic Age expired-it slept Deep in its tomb :-the bramble crept The noblest-born must abdicate; The fairest, while with fire and sword By ruder hands in homelier vest. Still was its inner world a place Clove fondly; to his favourite seat When alternations came of rage Yet fiercer, in a darker age; And feuds, where, clan encountering clan, The weaker perished to a man; |