The Poetry Corner

Ribblesdale

By Gerard Manley Hopkins

Earth, sweet Earth, sweet landscape, with leavs throng And louchd low grass, heaven that dost appeal To, with no tongue to plead, no heart to feel; That canst but only be, but dost that long - Thou canst but be, but that thou well dost; strong Thy plea with him who dealt, nay does now deal, Thy lovely dale down thus and thus bids reel Thy river, and o'er gives all to rack or wrong. And what is Earth's eye, tongue, or heart else, where Else, but in dear and dogged man? - Ah, the heir To his own selfbent so bound, so tied to his turn, To thriftless reave both our rich round world bare And none reck of world after, this bids wear Earth brows of such care, care and dear concern.