Ballad of the White Horse

Before the gods that made the gods
Had seen their sunrise pass
The White Horse of the White Horse Vale
Was cut out of the grass.

Before the gods that made the gods
Had drunk at dawn their fill
The White Horse of the White Horse Vale
Was hoary on the hill.

Age beyond age on British land
Aenos on aeons gone
Was peace and war in western hills
And the White Horse looked on.

For the White Horse knew England
When there was none to know
He saw the first oar break or bend
He saw Heaven fall and the world end
O God, how long ago!

How far we've come from the foundations of our poetic forefathers!!