The Poem Tree at Wittenham Clumps (original) (raw)

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The Poem Tree
at Sinodun Hill, Wittenham Clumps

On the eastern side of Sinodun Hill, at Little Wittenham, is a stone commemorating the 150th anniversary of the carving of a poem on a nearby beech tree by Joseph Tubb of Warborough Green in 1844-5. The text on the monument was taken from a tracing made in 1965 by Dr. Henry Osmaston.

As up the hill with labr'ing steps we tread Where the twin Clumps their sheltering branches spread The summit gain'd at ease reclining lay And all around the wide spread scene survey Point out each object and instructive tell The various changes that the land befell Where the low bank the country wide surrounds That ancient earthwork form'd old Mercia's bounds In misty distance see the barrow heave There lies forgotten lonely Cwichelm's grave.

Around this hill the ruthless Danes intrenched And these fair plains with gory slaughter drench'd While at our feet where stands that stately tower In days gone by up rose the Roman power And yonder, there where Thames smooth waters glide In later days appeared monastic pride. Within that field where lies the grazing herd Huge walls were found, some coffins disinter'd Such is the course of time, the wreck which fate And awful doom award the earthly great.