When the cold light's uncertain shower

Streams on the ruin'd central tower;

When buttress and buttress, alternately,

Seem framed of ebon and ivory;

Wnen silver edges the imagery,

And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die;

When distant Tweed is heard to rave,

And the howlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave,

Then go—but go alone the while—

Then view St. David's[2] ruined pile;