Brown as the nappy ale at Hocktide game—

So brown the crooked rings that neatly fell

Over the neck of that all-beauteous dame.

Grey as the morn before the ruddy flame

Of Phœbus' chariot rolling through the sky;

Grey as the steel-horn'd goats Conyan made tame—

So grey appear'd her featly sparkling eye.


"Majestic as the grove of oaks that stood

Before the abbey built by Oswald king;