A. E. Housman on River Severn

“High the vanes of Shrewsbury gleam Islanded in Severn stream; The bridges from the steepled crest Cross the water east and west.”

“From Clee to heaven the beacon burns,   The shires have seen it plain, From north and south the sign returns   And beacons burn again. * * * * * It dawns in Asia, tombstones show   And Shropshire names are read; And the Nile spills his overflow   Beside the Severn's dead.”