In a long valley, on one side of which,

White from the mason’s hand, a fortress rose;

And on one side a castle in decay, 245

Beyond a bridge that spann’d a dry ravine:

And out of town and valley came a noise

As of a broad brook o’er a shingly bed

Brawling, or like a clamour of the rooks

At distance, ere they settle for the night. 250

And onward to the fortress rode the three

And enter’d, and were lost behind the walls.