Poem by Thomas Hardy

The Temporary the All

                 (Sapphics)

    Change and chancefullness in my flowering youthtime,
    Set me sun by sun near to one unchosen;
    Wrought us fellowlike, and despite divergence,
        Fused us in friendship.

    "Cherish him can I while the true one forthcome--
    Come the rich fulfiller of my prevision;
    Life is roomy yet, and the odds unbounded."
        So self-communed I.

    'Thwart my wistful way did a damsel saunter,
    Fair, albeit unformed to be all-eclipsing;
    "Maiden meet," held I, "till arise my forefelt
        Wonder of women."

    Long a visioned hermitage deep desiring,
    Tenements uncouth I was fain to house in:
    "Let such lodging be for a breath-while," thought I,
        "Soon a more seemly.

    "Then high handiwork will I make my life-deed,
    Truth and Light outshow; but the ripe time pending,
    Intermissive aim at the thing sufficeth."
        Thus I. . . . But lo, me!

    Mistress, friend, place, aims to be bettered straightway,
    Bettered not has Fate or my hand's achievement;
    Sole the showance those of my onward earth-track--
        Never transcended! 

1. The Supplanter
2. Afternoon Service at Mellstock
3. At the Word ‘Farewell’
4. Tragedian to Tragedienne
5. The Three Tall Men

Print

1777 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version