On Crossing the Anglesea Strait To Bangor at Midnight

’T WAS night, when from the Druid’s gloomy cave,

Where I had wandered, tranced in thought, alone

Mid Cromlech’s and the Carnedd’s funeral stone,

Pensive and slow I sought the Menai’s wave:

Lulled by the scene, a soothing stillness laid

Each pang to rest. O’er Snowdon’s cloudless brow

The moon, that full orbed rose, with peaceful glow

Beamed on the rocks; with many a star arrayed,

Glittered the broad blue sky; from shore to shore

O’er the smooth current streamed a silver light,

Save where along the flood the lonely height

Of rocky Penmaenmaur deep darkness spread;

And all was silence, save the ceaseless roar

Of Conway bursting on the ocean’s bed.