Jesmond Dean

Dark was the night in Jesmond Dean
Its groves had doffed their sweetness
Bleak howled the wind, the rain fell keen, 
With Winter's fiercest fleetness
And hoarsely did the torrent swell
In murmurs dull and dreary, 
To him who lived for Isabel, 
The girl he loved sincerely 

Though long and dark the way had been, 
He reached her peaceful dwelling, 
And saw in every glance serene, 
What in her breast was swelling
The rapture of her chaste embrace, 
Her looks of guileless gladness,
Soothed every pang, nor left a trace
Of former toils and sadness. 

Published in Poems, pp.75-76.

* Isabella Morrison was Robert Gilchrist's sister-in-law. A report of a walk to Jesmond Dene on Whit Tuesday 1825 gives an account of Gilchrist walking with him companion Mr Young to Dr Headlam's mansion at Jesmond Dene, which had been newly erected in 1822, designed by John Dobson. It is likely this poem was composed following this walk. 

Gilchrist's manuscript recounts:

"On Whit Tuesday, 1825, Mr. Young and I took a walk to Jesmond Dene, situated a little to the north-east of Newcastle. This valley can boast some of the finest scenerey in the North of England, being most delightfully diversified with wood and water, forming some beautiful walks, equally inviting from their coolness and retirement. 
We stopped to look at the ruin of the ancient monastery, which is deservedly held sacred to the memory of those who erected so fair a monument of their piety and munificence. Near to the monastery is a fine well of water, at which it is said (and with great probability) Joseph or Arimathaea once took a drink, and decleared the water to be excellent. From this period the well became a place of pilgrimage, and hence the erection of the monastery. Close to the well is a bath, which goes down with twelve steps (being the number of the Apostles). Tradition says that, on the bath being formed, the water ceased to flow. The vulgar attributed this to a wrong use being made of the water, and, of course, the bath fell into disuse and neglect. Whatever truth there may be in the foregoing narrative, one thing is certain, that the water is truly "excellent," and the enchanting situation in which it is placed entitles it to be a pilgrimage even at this day. 
After leaving the monastery we directed our walk a little further to the newly-erected mansion of Dr. Headlam. Some may consider the situation to be rather low, but by this many parts of it are seen to the utmost advantage. The remains of a quarry, for instance, have been converted into a most delightful and romantic spot. In short, the rural elegance and harmonious disposition of everything in or about the grounds reflects honour on the taste and liberality of the worthy proprietor. We were kindly received at this mansion through the influence of my amiable sister-in-law, Miss Morrison. She is one whose conduct is the best proof of her sincerity in the profession of religion; her ways are indeed the "ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." After spending a pleasant afternoon at this place, Mr. Y. and myself returned home in the evening much gratified by our walk."

The well referred to is St Mary's Well. A plaque placed there in 1983 states it was "Traditionally a holy well, but probably no earlier than the late 17th Century. William Coulson built a bathing place beside it early in 18th Century. Remodelled in 19th Century." St. Mary's Well, Jesmond – Newcastle upon Tyne, England - Atlas Obscura See also A pilgrimage to St. Mary’s Well, Jesmond, Newcastle | holyandhealingwells (insearchofholywellsandhealingsprings.com). And also St Mary's Chapel - Newcastle Heritage And from Historic England. St Mary's Well, Jesmond, Non Civil Parish - 1018641 | Historic England

'On the Ruins of Jesmond Monastery' by P. of Newcastle is another local ode to the sites referred to above. 

The reference at the end comes from Proverbs 3:17 "Her ways are ways of pleasatnessn, and all her paths are peace".