[Plate XX. Christ Church: "Tom" Tower]
A patriotic tradition claims for Tom the honour of having inspired
Milton's lines in "Il Penseroso":
"Hear the far-off curfew sound
Over some wide-watered, shore,
Swinging slow with sullen roar."
But it is difficult to believe this; Milton's connection with Oxford
does not get nearer than Forest Hill, and blow the west wind as hard
as it would, it could scarcely make Tom's voice reach so far. And the
"wide-watered shore" is only appropriate to Oxford in flood time, the
very last season when a poet would wish to remember it.
The view in Plate XX of the tower is taken from the front of
Pembroke, and must have been often admired by Oxford's devoted son,
Samuel Johnson, when, as a poor scholar of Pembroke, "he was
generally to be seen (says his friend. Bishop Percy) lounging at the
college gate, with a circle of young students round him, whom he was
entertaining with his wit and keeping from their studies."
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE
[Plate XXI. St. John's College : Garden Front]
"An English home--gray twilight poured
On dewy pastures, dewy trees,
Softer than sleep, all things in order stored,
The haunt of ancient Peace.
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