The Poetry Corner

Alcaics

By Arthur Hugh Clough

So spake the voice: and as with a single life Instinct, the whole mass, fierce, irretainable, Down on that unsuspecting host swept; Down, with the fury of winds, that all night Upbrimming, sapping slowly the dyke, at dawn Fall through the breach oer holmstead and harvest; and Heard roll a deluge: while the milkmaid Trips i the dew, and remissly guiding Morns first uneven furrow, the farmers boy Dreams out his dream; so, over the multitude Safe-tented, uncontrolled and uncon- trollably sped the Avengers fury.