The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

CANTO V.] ROKEBY. 201
Such inconsistent moods have we,
Even when our passions strike the key.
III.
Now, through the wood's dark mazes past,
The opening lawn he reach'd at last,
Where, silver'd by the moonlight ray,
The ancient Hall before him lay.'
Those martial terrors long were fled,
That frown'd of old around its head:
The battlements, the turrets gray,
Seem'd half abandon'd to decay;2
On barbican and keep of stone
Stern Time the foeman's work had done.
Where banners the invader braved,
The harebell now and wallflower waved;
In the rude guard-room, where of yore
Their weary hours the warders wore,
Now, while the cheerful fagots blaze,
On the paved floor the spindle plays;3
1 [MS.-" Old Rokeby's towers before him lay."]
2 The ancient castle of Rokeby stood exactly upon the site
of the present mansion, by which a part of its walls is enclosed. It is surrounded by a profusion of fine wood, and the
park in which it stands is adorned by the junction of the.Greta and of the Tees. The title of Baron Rokeby of Armagh
was, in 1777, conferred on the Right Reverend Richard Robinson, Primate of Ireland, descended of the Robinsons, formerly of Rokeby, in Yorkshire.
3 [MS.-" The weary night the warders wore,
Now by the fagot's gladsome light,
The maidens plied the spindle's sleight."]