673. The Plough A LANDSCAPE IN BERKSHIRE

ABOVE yon sombre swell of land
Thou see’st the dawn’s grave orange hue,
With one pale streak like yellow sand,
And over that a vein of blue.

The air is cold above the woods;	5
All silent is the earth and sky,
Except with his own lonely moods
The blackbird holds a colloquy.

Over the broad hill creeps a beam,
Like hope that gilds a good man’s brow;	10
And now ascends the nostril-stream
Of stalwart horses come to plough.

Ye rigid Ploughmen, bear in mind
Your labour is for future hours:
Advance—spare not—nor look behind—	15
Plough deep and straight with all your powers!