Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.

Isle of Man

Tynwald Hill

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

ONCE on the top of Tynwald’s formal mound

(Still marked with green turf circles narrowing

Stage above stage) would sit this island’s king,

The laws to promulgate, enrobed and crowned;

While, compassing the little mount around,

Degrees and orders stood, each under each;

Now, like to things within fate’s easiest reach,

The power is merged, the pomp a grave has found.

Off with yon cloud, old Snafell! that thine eye

Over three realms may take its widest range;

And let, for them, thy fountains utter strange

Voices, thy winds break forth in prophecy,

If the whole state must suffer mortal change,

Like Mona’s miniature of sovereignty.