THE BALLAD OF HADRIAN'S WALL
Now Hadrian's Wall is a nice wee walk,
A
pleasant few afternoons' stroll;
At a full week's trek I didn't
baulk,
Over crag and beck and knoll.
From Whitley Bay on the mouth of
the Tyne,
Through the fort at old Wallsend,
I stepped it out as the path
did wind,
To Wylam my way did wend.
By Heddon-on-the-Wall I
rose,
Milecastles coasted by,
And blisters appeared on all my
toes,
Under Chollerford's clear blue sky.
Climbing steadily up the
fells,
Steel-Riggs and Winshiel Crags,
Through Sewing-Shields, up
cliffs, down dells,
The track it zigs and zags.
At Housesteads Fort I
rest a while,
Vindolanda elated mood,
I pass the mark of forty
mile,
And slip downhill to Twice Brewed.
Next day is cold, it rains
like heck,
Birdoswald Fort I'm late,
In driving sleet I cross Cam
Beck,
Drop down by Hayton Gate.
Past turret and wall and tower at
Banks,
Then descending from the ridge,
For clear blue skies I give my
thanks,
Near Lanercost's Abbey Bridge.
At Crosby's sheep I smile with
mirth,
Then not far to Carlisle,
Another day to Solway Firth,
Marks
eighty Roman mile.
Two thousand years have passed him by,
Still
Hadrian's Wall is peachy,
"Hail Caesar Romans" do I cry,
Veni, Vidi,
Vici!
