In the Depths

Portrait of Arthur Hugh Clough
Arthur Hugh Clough 1819–1861

It is not sweet content, be sure, That moves the nobler Muse to song, Yet when could truth come whole and pure From hearts that inly writhe with wrong?

'T is not the calm and peaceful breast That sees or reads the problem true; They only know, on whom 't has prest Too hard to hope to solve it too.

Our ills are worse than at their ease These blameless happy souls suspect, They only study the disease, Alas, who live not to detect.

Keep reading

Discover more of Arthur Hugh Clough’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.