Arthur Hugh Clough (1819–1861)

[See also 1849 and 1869]

The Shady Lane

WHENCE comest thou? shady lane, and why and how?

Thou, where with idle heart, ten years ago,

I wandered, and with childhood's paces slow

So long unthought of, and remembered now!

Again in vision clear thy pathwayed side

I tread, and view thy orchard plots again

With yellow fruitage hung,—and glimmering grain

Standing or shocked through the thick hedge espied.

This hot still noon of August brings the sight;

This quelling silence as of eve or night,

Wherein Earth (feeling as a mother may

After her travail's latest bitterest throes)

Looks up, so seemeth it, one half repose,

One half in effort, straining, suffering still.

(Written 1839; published 1869)

Henry Ellison (1811–1880)

[See also 1844]

Hopes, from the Spread of Phrenology

PHRENOLOGY! lay thy broad hand upon

The forehead of the coming Time, and say

What now is working at the brain—which way

The mighty thoughts, that will transform anon

The face of earth, are tending—mark'st thou, on

That so capacious brow, no new display,

No fresh developments, no signs, which may

To thy prophetic eye make clearly known

What shape the coming age will take? there is

An hum of mighty changes! Hope takes cheer:

And Expectation stands on tiptoe; 'tis

A time of promise: prophecies we hear

Of man reclaimed by Nature to her sphere,

And mutual knowledge causing mutual bliss!