poet
and one of the earliest practitioners of landscape gardening through the development of his estate, The Leasowes
.
Son of Thomas Shenstone and Anne Penn, daughter of William Penn of Harborough Hall, then in
Hagley
(now Blakedown
), Shenstone was born at the Leasowes, Halesowen
. At that time this was an enclave of Shropshire
within the county of Worcestershire
.
Shenstone received part of his formal education at Halesowen Grammar School (now The Earls High School
).
Her cap, far whiter than the driven snow,Emblem right meet of decency does yield.
Whoe'er has traveled life's dull round,Where'er his stages may have been,May sigh to think he still has foundThe warmest welcome, at an inn.
Every good poet includes a critic; the reverse will not hold.
A fool and his words are soon parted.
Love is a pleasing but a various clime.
So sweetly she bade me adieu,I thought that she bade me return.
I have found out a gift for my fair;I have found where the wood-pigeons breed.
My banks they are furnish’d with bees,Whose murmur invites one to sleep.
For seldom shall she hear a taleSo sad, so tender, and so true.
Her cap, far whiter than the driven snow,Emblems right meet of decency does yield.