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1819–1875

THE POETRY OF A ROOT CROP

Charles Kingsley

Underneath their eider-robe Russet swede and golden globe, Feathered carrot, burrowing deep, Steadfast wait in charmed sleep;

Treasure-houses wherein lie, Locked by angels’ alchemy, Milk and hair, and blood, and bone, Children of the barren stone;

Children of the flaming Air, With his blue eye keen and bare, Spirit-peopled smiling down On frozen field and toiling town —

Toiling town that will not heed God His voice for rage and greed; Frozen fields that surpliced lie, Gazing patient at the sky;

Like some marble carven nun, With folded hands when work is done, Who mute upon her tomb doth pray, Till the resurrection day.

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