The Coleridge Way, Exmoor, 2011

The Rime of the Ancient Hillwalkers

It is ancient Hillwalkers
And they stoppeth one of three.
"By thy long grey beards and glittering eyes,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?

The Bridegroom's doors are opened wide,
And I am next of kin;
The guests are met, the feast is set:
May'st hear the merry din."

They hold him with their podgy hands,
"There was a Wooded Walk," quoth they.
"Hold off! unhand me, greybeard loons!"
Eftsoons their hands dropt they.

They hold him with their glittering eyes -
The Wedding-Guest stood still,
And listens like a three years child:
The hillwalkers have their will.

The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone:
He cannot chuse but hear;
And thus spake on those ancient men,
The smelly-clothed hillwalkers...