O bounteous Heaven! signs true as dove and bough
Brought to the ark are coming evermore, 10
Given though we seek them not, but, while we plough[120]
This sea of life without a visible shore,
Do neither promise ask nor grace implore
In what alone is ours, the living Now.[121]
[119] The Anio joins the Tiber north of Rome, flowing from the north-east past Tivoli.—Ed.
[120] 1845.
Even though men seek them not, but, while they plough
1842.