For thirty years secluded from mankind, <br />Here Marten linger'd. Often have these walls <br />Echoed his footsteps, as with even tread <br />He paced around his prison: not to him <br />Did Nature's fair varieties exist; <br />He never saw the Sun's delightful beams, <br />Save when thro' yon high bars it pour'd a sad <br />And broken splendor. Dost thou ask his crime? <br />He had rebell'd against the King, and sat <br />In judgment on him; for his ardent mind <br />Shaped goodliest plans of happiness on earth, <br />And peace and liberty. Wild dreams! But such <br />As PLATO lov'd; such as with holy zeal <br />Our MILTON worshipp'd. Blessed hopes! awhile <br />From man withheld, even to the latter days, <br />When CHRIST shall come and all things be fulfill'd.<br /><br />Robert Southey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/inscription-04-for-the-apartment-in-chepstow-cas/
