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. Genitrix Laesa
2. V.R. 1819–1901
3. Song from Heine
4. Over the Coffin
5. Song to an Old Burden

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