DUDLEY CASTLE, &c. PART II. THE WALKS Now invite attention: the Entrance into whose pleasingly-diversified windings is according to the engraved Directory, close by. But let those who may find walking inconvenient, continue the Drive, turning to the left, up the somewhat steep way to the Castle while the Antiquary should certainly go straight forward, down the short declivity almost to the Lodge, for the sake of entering the immediate Precincts under THE ARCH OF THE WARDER'S That he will deem the Via sacra,-the legitimate chivalrous road to the ancient edifice. He will not complain of the steepness of the Pass, when his mind, reverting to it a thousand years ago, imagines the ponderous vehicle of a Dodo moving the same way, containing the fair Dames of the Castle, escorted by the lordly Owner, and, of vassals, "a goodly train:" he, mounted on a charger of cor D respondent dignity to the War-Horse, so sublimely described in the Book of Job,*-and they, on steeds "In rich caparisons and trappings gay." This fragment of a Tower, up whose rugged side the giant ivy, planted by a dear and lamented Son of the present writer, luxuriantly climbs, is one of the only three remaining parts of the pristine Castle. Thence the view of the Keep, &c. is extremely fine. An esplanade, till lately, clear of trees and bushes of every kind, extends to the gates of the edifice. This space was originally left open, according to the rules of fortification, in order that an enemy might not approach the walls under cover; or unobserved from the battlements.* At the end of this open space is the strong triple Gate-way, (14) flanked, at its entrance by two Turrets, levelled now to the very ground, and nearly filled with their own ruins. A few feet of their circular form, and of a spiral stair-case, in each, are all that is visible.If the visitor enter the Area that way, we must leave him awhile, to ponder upon the interesting scene before him; and return to where we left his Party at the shady Inlet to THE WILDERNESS. (15) On descending into this sequestered Retreat, we instantly find ourselves as if walking in the calm * Chap. xxxix. *See Quentin Durward, V. 1. p. 45. |