Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AT 'GOVETT'S LEAP', by JOHN LAURENCE RENTOUL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT 'GOVETT'S LEAP', by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Symbol of hate and hell and despot-power
Last Line: Bear witness: and god marked, and keeps the account.
Alternate Author Name(s): Gage, Gervais
Subject(s): Tyranny & Tyrants


(On a shattered Ankle-iron found by me in the Sand at "Govett's Leap," near the old Convict Camp,
Blackheath, "Blue Mountains.")

SYMBOL of Hate and Hell and Despot-power,
Impartial Time hath fretted to red rust
Thy once remorseless clutch! The wise dumb dust
Hides thy grim tale, and slow tears hour by hour
That hardened into cursings, till the flower
Of Hope was wasted. Then in rage was riven
Thy tyrant grasp. Self-judged, absolved and shriven
A Man stood free! Nor did his strong heart cower
At deep hoarse bay of bloodhound. From Fate's rod
He leapt into the darkness—O weird fall!—
Appealing to the just dread doom of God.
A swift flash through the silence: that was all!
Yon "Lion-rock," the abyss, the sheer cleft Mount
Bear witness: and God marked, and keeps the account.





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