Poem by Thomas Hardy

After Reading Psalms XXXIX, XL, etc

Simple was I and was young;
Kept no gallant tryst, I;
Even from good words held my tongue,
Quoniam Tu fecisti!

Through my youth I stirred me not,
High adventure missed I,
Left the shining shrines unsought;
Yet – me deduxisti!

At my start by Helicon
Love-lore little wist I,
Worldly less; but footed on;
Why? Me suscepisti!

When I failed at fervid rhymes,
‘Shall,’ I said, ‘persist I?’
‘Dies’ (I would add at times)
‘Meos posuisti!’

So I have fared through many suns;
Sadly little grist I
Bring my mill, or any one’s,
Domine, Tu scisti!

And at dead of night I call:
‘Though to prophets list I,
Which hath understood at all?
Yea: Quem elegisti?’

1. Afternoon Service at Mellstock
2. At the Word ‘Farewell’
3. The Three Tall Men
4. A Victorian Rehearsal
5. The Dead Bastard

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