Cambridge Poets 1900–1913

A . V . Ratcliffe . BARDEN TOWERS . DARDEN TOWERS in a mist of rain , D The trees all green and yellow and gold , A wistful gloom on the hills of pain , And a tale of sadness told . She was sweet and he was fair , He was stirring and hale and glad , She was proud of her handsome lad , And he of her wide gold hair . He was merely a yokel lad , But his heart was a passionate rising fire , And his hallo along the rolling wold Was a sound to make the sun aspire , And the summer mend and hold . But a gallant sergeant came at length . He spoke to her lad ; “ You 'll lend your heart To a stirring deed , to a stalwart part , The country 's low for lack of strength , And of men that care to smart .” Oh what could a lad whose heart was fire , And what could a lass whose heart was fond , Yea he must out to his country 's bond , And she must crush her soul 's desire , - And the year lay down her wand ! 163