“The Castled Crag of Drachenfels” Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Canto III by Lord Byron

The castled crag of Drachenfels

Frowns o’er the wide & winding Rhine,

Whose breast of water broadly swells,

Between the banks which bear the vine,

And fields which promise corn & wine;

And scattered cities crowning these,

Whose far white walls along them shine;

Have strewed a scene, which I should see,

With double joy wert thou with me.

And peasant girls, with deep blue eyes,

And hands which offer early flowers,

Walk smiling o’er this paradise;

Above the frequent feudal towers

Through green leaves lift their walls of gray,

And many a rock which steeply lowers,

And noble arch in proud decay,

Look o’er this vale of vintage bowers;

But one thing wants these banks of Rhine,

Thy gentle hand to clasp in mine!