Ask me down to Welwyn

Susan Hall

Whilst looking through the pamphlet folders on Welwyn Garden City ay Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies I came across this little poem.

You ask me where in peaceful grot

I’d choose to fix my dwelling,

I’ll tell you; for I’ve found the spot,

And mortals call it Welwyn.

 

Its shade a solitude imparts,

All other shades excelling;

The county where it stands is Herts,

And hearts are lost in Welwyn.

 

I feel my own throw off its load

When passing by the Bell Inn;

And why? Because I know the road

Will lead me on to Welwyn.

 

And where arrived beneth those trees

Secure from storm and felling,

The charms of beauty, friendship, ease,

All welcome me at Welwyn.

 

In other days, ere mute his tongue,

His thoughts there Young sat telling;

Now I, although I am not young,

Fix all my thoughts on Welwyn.

 

His were but Night Thoughts, so they say,

But mine are more rebelling,

For though they’re knight thoughts still by day

They’re ever fixed on Welwyn.

 

And when my sorrows and my grief

I seek to be repelling,

I always pray for such relief

As kindness gives at Welwyn.

 

Shall I implore those heathen dons

On high Olympus dwelling?

No, faith! Ill write to Mrs Johnes

To ask me down to Welwyn.

 

The poem was written in 1829 by Theodore Hook, although in a booklet about Welwyn Gared City, I would think that it is about Welwyn, as Welwyn Garedn City did not come about until 1919/20

 

This page was added on 24/07/2018.

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