Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON SEEING BLENHEIM CASTLE, by LUCY AIKEN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON SEEING BLENHEIM CASTLE, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: O ask not me of blenheim's marble halls
Last Line: Chilled by the frown of dull unsocial state.
Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Lucy
Subject(s): Blenheim Park, England; Castles


O ASK not me of Blenheim's marble halls,
Her towering column and triumphal gate;
With vacant glance I viewed the trophied walls,
The wide unsocial haunt of sullen state!
Boast not to me the wooded green domain,
Formed by the labourer's hand, the artist's rule;
Joyless I saw, in yon extended plain,
A cultured desert and a stagnant pool.
Be mine the cheerful view of village green
With ruddy children scattered far and near,
The babbling brook thro' willow hedgerows seen
That turns the mill with current cold and clear!
At scenes like these the feeling breast may warm,
And tears of young philanthropy may start,
The poet's mind new dreams of beauty form,
And fancy own the promptings of the heart.
But ask not me of Blenheim's marble halls;
Tho' Marlborough's triumphs grace her sculptured gate,
With careless glance I viewed her trophied walls,
Chilled by the frown of dull unsocial state.





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