England and Yesterday — Oxford - I. The Tow-Path

THE TOW-PATH.

Furrow to furrow, oar to oar succeeds, Each length away, more bright, more exquisite;

The sister shells that hither, thither flit, Strew the long stream like dropping maple-seeds.

A comrade on the marge now lags, now leads, Who with short calls his pace doth intermit: An angry Pan, afoot; but if he sit, Auspicious Pan among the river reeds.

West of the glowing hay-ricks, (tawny-black, Where waters by their warm escarpments run), Two lovers, slowly crossed from Kennington, Print in the early dew a married track, And drain the aroma’d eve, and spend the sun, Ere, in laborious health, the crews come back.

II.