Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SIDE BY SIDE, by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: So there sat they Last Line: In their span of days. | ||||||||
So there sat they, The estranged two, Thrust in one pew By chance that day; Placed so, breath-nigh, Each comer unwitting Who was to be sitting In touch close by. Thus side by side Blindly alighted, They seemed united As groom and bride, Who'd not communed For many years -- Lives from twain spheres With hearts distuned. Her fringes brushed His garment's hem As the harmonies rushed Through each of them: Her lips could be heard In the creed and psalms, And their fingers neared At the giving of alms. And women and men, The matins ended, By looks commended Them, joined again. Quickly said she, "Don't undeceive them -- Better thus leave them:" "Quite so," said he. Slight words! -- the last Between them said, Those two, once wed, Who had not stood fast. Diverse their ways From the western door, To meet no more In their span of days. | 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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