AT APPLETHWAITE,
NEAR KESWICK
This place was presented to me by Sir George
Beaumont with a view to the erection of a
house upon it, for the sake of being near to
Coleridge, then living, and likely to
remain, at Greta Hall near Keswick. The
'severe' necessities that prevented this
arose from his domestic situation. This
little property, with a considerable
addition that still leaves it very small,
lies beautifully upon the banks of a rill
that gurgles down the side of Skiddaw, and
the orchard and other parts of the grounds
command a magnificent prospect of Derwent
Water, and of the mountains of Borrowdale
and Newlands. Many years ago I gave the
place to my daughter.
BEAUMONT! it was thy wish that I should rear
A seemly Cottage in this sunny Dell,
On favoured ground, thy gift, where I might
dwell
In neighbourhood with One to me most dear,
That undivided we from year to year
Might work in our high Calling--a bright
hope
To which our fancies, mingling, gave free
scope
Till checked by some necessities severe.
And should these slacken, honoured BEAUMONT!
still
Even then we may perhaps in vain implore
Leave of our fate thy wishes to fulfil.
Whether this boon be granted us or not,
Old Skiddaw will look down upon the Spot
With pride, the Muses love it evermore.
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