Poem by Thomas Hardy

The Subalterns

I

‘Poor wanderer,’ said the leaden sky,
‘I fain would lighten thee,
But there are laws in force on high
Which say it must not be.’

II

– ‘I would not freeze thee, shorn one,’ cried
The North, ‘knew I but how
To warm my breath, to slack my stride;
But I am ruled as thou.’

III

– ‘To-morrow I attack thee, wight,’
Said Sickness. ‘Yet I swear
I bear thy little ark no spite,
But am bid enter there.’

IV

– ‘Come hither, Son,’ I heard Death say;
‘I did not will a grave
Should end thy pilgrimage to-day,
But I, too, am a slave!’

V

We smiled upon each other then,
And life to me had less
Of that fell look it wore ere when
They owned their passiveness.

1. V.R. 1819–1901
2. Genitrix Laesa
3. Over the Coffin
4. The Forbidden Banns
5. Song from Heine

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