Burnley Express
Saturday 12 May 1894
Walverden: A Lament
[Walverden was one of the breathing places around Nelson, in fact it was the sweetest vale in our neigbourhood, but ruin and devastation are upon the scene, they are cutting down the trees, and are beginning to build a weaving shed right within the heart of the vale. "Sic transit gloria mundi."]
Oh Walverden! thou vale once fair, I loved to wander 'neath thy trees, And listen to the birds' sweet songs, And feel the fragrant summer breeze.
The murm'rings of the rippling stream, As onward it persued its way, Was music to my weary soul, And never ceased from day to day.
The lark, sweet songster of the sky, So full of life, so free from care, Scar'd high above me, till his songs Broke forth and filled the balmy air.
Thy stately trees so richly dressed, That point above to heaven's high dome, With out-stretched branches did provide, For man a shade, for birds a home.
The gentle breeze brought o'er the field. The fragrance from thy pretty flowers, The humming of the busy bee Winging its way amongst the bowers.
But now there's sadness in my heart, For where thy beauty reigned supreme Is now confusion, and thy groves Are disappearing like a dream.
Aye! as a dream, I may recall The bridge across the babbling brook, The hillside with its tall, dark trees, Where we could read Dame Nature's book.
Oh! could thy beauty once more bloom In every field, on every tree, Then would my muse again appear And sing her praises unto thee.
Nelson, May 6th, 1894. A. Smith
_________________ Mel
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