“It was a wild and strange retreat,

As e’er was trod by outlaw’s feet.

The dell, upon the mountain’s crest,

Yawned like a gash on warrior’s breast;

Its trench had staid full many a rock,

Hurl’d by primeval earthquake shock

From Ben-Venue’s grey summit wild,

And here, in random ruin piled,

They frowned incumbent o’er the spot,

And formed the rugged sylvan grot.