The Lancasters and Their Friends (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 edition. Excerpt: ...of the Clyclops, when busy forging thunder-bolts for Jove." On Helvellyn itself rested the "cap," or cloud of vapour, so well known in the district, spread like a veil of gossamer. Presently the wild aspect of the scene is softened by the presence of a wood-crowned hill, while on the sides of the nearer mountains could be seen the purple heath, yellow gorse, emerald ferns, lichens, and mosses. Others--rocky eminences--rose straight, bleak and bare out of the water, rearing their "awful form" high and defiant, whilst the wavelets of the lake kissed the feet of these giants of Lakeland. Dermont, who had not imagined anything so beautiful, leaning over the boat side, was heard to repeat the well-known lines: --"O scenes surpassing fable and yet true, Scenes of accomplished bliss, which who can see, Though but in distant prospect, and not feel His soul refreshed with foretaste of the joy Rivers of gladness water all the earth, And clothe all climes with beauty--the reproach Of barrenness is past: the fruitful field Laughs with abundance; and the land, once lean, Or fertile only in its own disgrace, Exults to see its thistly curse repealed--The various seasons woven into one, And that one season an Eternal Spring. "One song employs all nations, and all cry, 'Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain for us.' The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks Shout to each other, and the mountain-tops From distant mountains catch the flying joy, Till nation after nation taught the strain, 'Earth rolls the rapturous Hosannas round." Then turning to his companions said, "Our Father made them all." "Dermont," said Charlie, "could not look more astonished if the 'arm clothed in white samite, ' rose from the...