Fragment of a Sonnet
Farewell to North Devon
[Published (from the Esdaile manuscript book) by Dowden,
“Life of Shelley”, 1887; dated August, 1812.]
Where man’s profane and tainting hand
Nature’s primaeval loveliness has marred,
And some few souls of the high bliss debarred
Which else obey her powerful command;
…mountain piles _5
That load in grandeur Cambria’s emerald vales.