THE GENTLE COUNTY

From north and south the counties With hills and splendour call, But Cambridgeshire of fenlands Is gentlest of them all. Sweetness of cool gray beanfields; May in the snow-white hedge, And amber flame of sunsets Against the land’s stark edge. Open and green and golden It spreads before the eyes, With roads that call to follow, White under quiet skies; And under dreaming willows The river winds and gleams, Nor speaks above a whisper For fear to break their dreams.... It winds about the township Of gracious walls and towers, Within whose shade is healing, Whose years are young as hours— Oh, here’s the Gentle County, The land of hearts’ release, In Cambridgeshire of fenlands, Upon whose fields be peace....