I met a traveller from a distant land
He was walking into Parliament Square
He said to me I don’t understand
Where is Hertford Castle so fair
Where are the towers once so tall
Blown up by the Duke of Devonshire
And the grand banqueting hall
And the cannon never fired
The double moat is now where
Has the bridge finally been drawn
Are the dungeons still there
Beneath the manicured green lawn
I directed him to the Museum
It was closed being a Monday
I will return and try the Library
But this is closed on Wednesday
I expected more of the county town the traveller said
I will have to amend all my future plans
He breathed out a deep sigh and shook his head
And left town a sadder but wiser man
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