Roman Wall Blues

The view from Hadrian's Wall, for example the one shown here, might have looked very scenic, unless you were a Roman soldier! Maryport was a Milefort on the coastal defences which extended from the Wall in the North, down to Barrow in Furness in the south.

Over the heather the wet wind blows,

I've lice in my tunic and a cold in my nose.
The rain comes pattering out of the sky.

I'm a Wall soldier, I don't know why.

The mist creeps over the hard grey stone.

My girl's in Tungria; I sleep alone.

Aulus goes hanging around her place,

I don't like his manners, I don't like his face.

Piso's a Christian, he worships a fish;

There'd be no kissing if he had his wish.

She gave me a ring but I diced it away;

I want my girl and I want my pay.

When I'm a veteran with only one eye

I shall do nothing but look at the sky.

W.H.Auden