Head To Head
Log In
Register
The Modern Antiquarian Forum »
Megalithic Poems
Log In to post a reply

963 messages
Topic View: Flat | Threaded
Littlestone
Littlestone
5386 posts

The Ruin
Sep 07, 2010, 15:40
Though thought by some to be about Stonehenge, The Ruin is now generally believe to be a poem describing the ruins of Roman Bath; and was perhaps composed by an Anglo-Saxon poet standing there amidst the ruins looking at the work of,

"...the mighty builders, perished and fallen..."

While still,

"...a stream threw up heat
in wide surge; the wall enclosed all
in its bright bosom, where the baths were,
hot in the heart. That was convenient.
Then they let pour...
hot streams over grey stone."

It is, "One of the most beautiful elegies in Old English. Written 1,000 years ago..." and the video below is worth a ganders. The ruin shown is neither that of Bath nor of Stonehenge but works well in the context of,

"...courtyard pavements were smashed; the work of giants is decaying.
Roofs are fallen, ruinous towers,
the frosty gate with frost on cement is ravaged,
chipped roofs are torn, fallen,
undermined by old age."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcIZrlid5UE
Topic Outline:

The Modern Antiquarian Forum Index