Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PENANCE, by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Why do you sit, o pale thin man ...' Last Line: "freeze my touch; yes, freeze." | ||||||||
"WHY do you sit, O pale thin man, At the end of the room By that harpsichord, built on the quaint old plan? -- It is cold as a tomb, And there's not a spark within the grate; And the jingling wires Are as vain desires That have lagged too late." "Why do I? Alas, far times ago A woman lyred here In the evenfall; one who fain did so From year to year; And, in loneliness bending wistfully, Would wake each note In sick sad rote, None to listen or see! "I would not join. I would not stay, But drew away, Though the winter fire beamed brightly. . . . Aye! I do to-day What I would not then; and the chill old keys, Like a skull's brown teeth Loose in their sheath, Freeze my touch; yes, freeze." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEN WHO MARCH AWAY' (SONG OF THE SOLDIERS) by THOMAS HARDY A BROKEN APPOINTMENT by THOMAS HARDY A CHRISTMAS GHOST-STORY; CHRISTMAS-EVE 1899 by THOMAS HARDY A THOUGHT IN TWO MOODS by THOMAS HARDY A THUNDERSTORM IN TOWN by THOMAS HARDY A TRAMPWOMAN'S TRAGEDY by THOMAS HARDY A WIFE IN LONDON by THOMAS HARDY ACCORDING TO THE MIGHTY WORKING by THOMAS HARDY |
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