Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

There is no god, the wicked sayeth -- Arthur Hugh Clough

       
(Poem #69) There is no god, the wicked sayeth
"There is no God," the wicked saith,
    "And truly it's a blessing,
For what He might have done with us
    It's better only guessing."

"There is no God," a youngster thinks,
    "or really, if there may be,
He surely did not mean a man
    Always to be a baby."

"There is no God, or if there is,"
    The tradesman thinks, "'twere funny
If He should take it ill in me
    To make a little money."

"Whether there be," the rich man says,
    "It matters very little,
For I and mine, thank somebody,
    Are not in want of victual."

Some others, also, to themselves,
    Who scarce so much as doubt it,
Think there is none, when they are well,
    And do not think about it.

But country folks who live beneath
    The shadow of the steeple;
The parson and the parson's wife,
    And mostly married people;

Youths green and happy in first love,
    So thankful for illusion;
And men caught out in what the world
    Calls guilt, in first confusion;

And almost everyone when age,
    Disease, or sorrows strike him,
Inclines to think there is a God,
    Or something very like Him.
-- Arthur Hugh Clough
Clough is another slightly less-known poet whom I like for the sheer
enjoyability of his verses. The one above is a good introduction to his
work, being nicely representative of both his style and his choice of
themes. The regular, simple metre and rhyme scheme - tending almost towards
children's poetry - make a nice contrast with the seriousness other poets
have led us to expect of the topic, and save the poem from being cliched. I
fully agree with the EB - "His best verse has a flavour that is closer to
the taste and temper of the 20th century than to the Victorian age"

The poem's simplicity may also mask the elegance and economy of its
phrases, and their often startling aptness - go back and read it again,
noting bits like 'thank somebody', 'mostly married people' and, of course,
the final couplet.

Biographical Notes:

Clough, Arthur Hugh

    b. Jan. 1, 1819, Liverpool
    d. Nov. 13, 1861, Florence

    poet whose work reflects the perplexity and religious doubt of mid-19th
    century England. He was a friend of Matthew Arnold and the subject of
    Arnold's commemorative elegy "Thyrsis."

  While at Oxford, Clough had intended to become a clergyman, but his
  increasing religious skepticism caused him to leave the university. He
  became head of University Hall, London, in 1849, and in 1852, at the
  invitation of Ralph Waldo Emerson, he spent several months lecturing in
  Massachusetts. He later worked as a government education official and
  helped his wife's first cousin, Florence Nightingale, in her philanthropic
  work. While on a visit to Italy he contracted malaria and died at age 42.

  Clough's deeply critical and questioning attitude made him as doubtful of
  his own powers as he was about the spirit of his age, and he gave his
  contemporaries the impression of promise unfulfilled, especially since he
  left the bulk of his verse unpublished. Nonetheless, Clough's Poems (1862)
  proved so popular that they were reprinted 16 times within 40 years of his
  death. His best verse has a flavour that is closer to the taste and temper
  of the 20th century than to the Victorian age, however. Among his works
  are Bothie of Tober-na-Vuolich (1848) and Amours de Voyage (1858), poems
  written in classical hexameters and dealing with romantic love, doubt, and
  social conflict. The long, incomplete poem Dipsychus most fully expresses
  Clough's doubts about the social and spiritual developments of his era,
  while his sharpest criticisms of Victorian moral complacency are found in
  "The Latest Decalogue":

      Thou shalt not kill, but need'st not strive
      Officiously to keep alive.

Assessment:

  [Matthew] Arnold's friend Arthur Hugh Clough died young but managed,
  nonetheless, to produce three highly original poems. The Bothie of
  Tober-na-Vuolich (1848) is a narrative poem of modern life, written in
  hexameters. Amours de Voyage (1858) goes beyond this to the full-scale
  verse novel, using multiple internal narrators and vivid contemporary
  detail. Dipsychus (published posthumously in 1865 but not available in an
  unexpurgated version until 1951) is a remarkable closet drama that debates
  issues of belief and morality with a frankness, and a metrical liveliness,
  unequaled in Victorian verse.

        -- EB

m.

33 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

Penis Enlargement Pills said...

I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely. I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.

Penis Enlargement Pills said...

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I think I will leave my first comment.
I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog.
I will keep visiting this blog very often.
By the way,
Blogger how when you visit my blog,
My Blog have been created for the satisfaction of consumer of all.

Rosemarycxy878 said...

enjoyed this very much-great voice and rhythm. I love this poetry reading group--much better than a book club. thanks to Judelicious for her inspiration

DBR said...

Very good post.It have made me happy.Thanks for your good site and very good post.

Remove Hard Water Stains said...

Defenatly you are right about your thinking.Which way you present us this matter it helps me very much to understand.you make this matter very easy to understand.

saim said...

Thanks for putting this together! This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.

buy curcumin

cna certification california said...

Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful information particularly the last part :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

best skincare said...

Great, it was something different, They have always give us some good hip hop music, though they have a good rapper.it is really a good advantage for them.

ipod touch 5g 3g connectivity said...

I was looking for this information from long time and found your post. It will be very useful for me. Thanks

iphone 5 release said...

Hello people want to express my satisfaction with this blog very creative and I really like the views of the focus very good indeed Thank you for the helpful information. I hope you keep up the good work on making your blog a success!

Anonymous said...

I love the randomly generated comments by what are clearly advertising sites that target blogs. Someone should make a poem from them!

Birkin said...

It is unbelievable that your blogs are so long time.the post is very helpful for me,Thanks!

Anonymous said...

It's the best time to make some plans for the future and it's
time to be happy. I have read this post and if
I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice.

Maybe you could write next articles referring to this
article. I wish to read more things about it!



Also visit my homepage: raspberry ketone diet reviews

deep said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

deep said...

traditional online casino today sign up offers available today on this sites.
At gambling zeal site everyone will be won more cash.
The World casino place details regarding the latest casino news gambling. worldcasinoplace.us
World Full night bingo game using a printed ticket on four lines most commonly played in the UK
The Stove casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities.
Just Now gambling time on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent
Poker-gambling-casino the most advanced games are Poker, Gambling and Casino also getting inserted
The Poke Poker add a structured poker play. And occasionally used to poker educational tool.
The Gambling 24hours sites Internet users in world, an estimated 50% of the gambling business.
One Big bingo house of the best bingo sites to hit the UK.
At Four jockers casino online player will get so many different type of roulette games
the Puzzle gambling has designed Sega Master System
The Gambling games that take place outside of casinos include
ThePoker-cards offers the best online poker cards experience for players. for more info you may bear with us through the website.
Just play games on justcasino.us with best things.
The Bingo balls is the famous game in the gambling world as you all know very well.

paket wisata bromo said...

i will try another my site... thanks very much..

Wisata Bromo

Anonymous said...

Vitamin telah diketahui tidak berguna untuk mencegah kanker, walaupun tingkat yang rendah dari vitamin D berhubungan dengan peningkatan resiko kanker. Apakah ini merupakan sebab akibat dan suplemen vitamin D bersifat melindungi tidak pernah dinyatakan. Suplemen Beta-Carotene telah diketahui meningkatkan kanker paru-paru pada mereka yang beresiko tinggi. Asam folat telah diketahui tidak berguna untuk mencegah kanker usus, bahkan justru menuingkatkan terjadinya polip pada usus besar. Tidak jelas apakah suplemen selenium mempunyai efek pengobatan/pencegahan. selain itu, seiring dengan perkembangan jaman, kini pengobatan penyakit ini sudah banyak di lakukan secara herbal, salah satunya dengan menggunakan produk ziirzax dan typhogell, dan untuk info lebih lengkap, silahkan baca spesifikasi produk obat kanker ziirzax dan typhogell.

unsgu said...

all of which have been presented by this website was perfect, good appearance and artikelnya..penuh color and full of meaning .. minimalist home design | motorsport kawasaki ninja | technology enggine honda cbr | the latest automotive news

Viagra said...

thanks gan,,, postinganya sangat bermanfaat untuk para pemula seperti saya... Cara Membesarkan Alat Vital Dengan Obat Klg 100% Pembesar Penis Herbal Asli usa Cara Cepat Pemanjang Alat Vital Pria Aman Tanpa Efek Samping Hasil Permanen,bergaransi Uang Kembali, Jual Obat Pembesar Penis dengan harga grosir Beli Sekarang Hanya Di Authorized Distributor www.Obatklgpill.com ,Buruan…Dapatkan Promo nya.!

FaR said...

If you are looking for gift delivery in Pakistan? We warmly welcome you to https://www.thewoodvalue.com/ Because we offer you one of the best wooden handmade art & craft decor items to send gifts Pakistan. A variety of Pakistan handicrafts, home decor, office decor, kitchen decor and wall decor are available at our online store. We offer online gift shopping in Pakistan with free delivery.

FaR said...

Send gifts to Pakistan
If you are looking for gift delivery in Pakistan? We warmly welcome you to https://www.thewoodvalue.com/ Because we offer you one of the best wooden handmade art & craft decor items to send gifts Pakistan. A variety of Pakistan handicrafts, home decor, office decor, kitchen decor and wall decor are available at our online store. We offer online gift shopping in Pakistan with free delivery.

Anonymous said...

Looking for All Types of Good Morning Images, Wishes, Quotes and Messages ETC...!
Night Wishes ideas
Wallpaper ideas
Morning Wishes Ideas
Day Wishes

Anonymous said...

amazing blog site, I love it "https://www.diarioviral.net/good-morning-gif/">Good morning gif

Post a Comment