Strange to behold
is the stone of this wall
broken by fate.
The strongholds are bursten
the work of giants decaying
the roofs are fallen
the towers are tottering
mouldering palaces roofless
weather-marked masonry shattering
Shelters time-scarred
tempest - marred
undermined of old.
Earth's grasp holdeth
its mighty builders
tumbled, crumbled,
in gravel's harsh grip
till a hundred generations
of men pass away.
(Anonymous 8th century Saxon)
is the stone of this wall
broken by fate.
The strongholds are bursten
the work of giants decaying
the roofs are fallen
the towers are tottering
mouldering palaces roofless
weather-marked masonry shattering
Shelters time-scarred
tempest - marred
undermined of old.
Earth's grasp holdeth
its mighty builders
tumbled, crumbled,
in gravel's harsh grip
till a hundred generations
of men pass away.
(Anonymous 8th century Saxon)