In Tenebris

In Tenebris

Original Text
Collected Poems of Thomas Hardy (London: Macmillan and Co., 1932): 153. PR 4741 F32 Robarts Library.
"Percussus sum sicut foenum, et aruit cor meum." -- Ps. ci.
1        Wintertime nighs;
2But my bereavement-pain
3It cannot bring again:
4        Twice no one dies.
5        Flower-petals flee;
6But, since it once hath been,
7No more that severing scene
8        Can harrow me.
9        Birds faint in dread:
10I shall not lose old strength
11In the lone frost's black length:
12        Strength long since fled!
13        Leaves freeze to dun;
14But friends can not turn cold
15This season as of old
16        For him with none.
17        Tempests may scath;
18But love can not make smart
19Again this year his heart
20        Who no heart hath.
21        Black is night's cope;
22But death will not appal
23One who, past doubtings all,
24        Waits in unhope.

Notes

1] The epigraph means "My heart is smitten, and withered like grass."
In 1903 the title is "De Profundis." Back to Line
13] dun: dark brownish-grey. Back to Line
17] scath: injure, scathe. Back to Line
21] cope: garment covering from head to foot. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1902
Publication Notes
Poems of the Past and Present, 2nd edn. (1902 [1901]: London: Macmillan, 1903). PR 4741 F03 Robarts Library
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme
abba