Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CHEVAL-GLASS, by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Why do you harbour that great cheval-glass Last Line: Where my grave is to be.' Subject(s): Glass & Glassblowers; Glaziers | ||||||||
WHY do you harbour that great cheval-glass Filling up your narrow room? You never preen or plume Or look in a week at your full-length figure - Picture of bachelor gloom! 'Well, when I dwelt in ancient England, Renting the valley farm, Thoughtless of all heart-harm, I used to gaze at the parson's daughter, A creature of nameless charm. 'Thither there came a lover and won her, Carried her off from my view. O it was then I knew Misery of a cast undreamt of - More than, indeed, my due! 'Then far rumours of her ill-usage Came, like a chilling breath When a man languisheth; Followed by news that her mind lost balance, And, in a space, of her death. 'Soon sank her father; and next was the auction - Everything to be sold: Mid things new and old Stood this glass in her former chamber, Long in her use, I was told. 'Well, I awaited the sale and bought it.... There by my bed it stands, And as the dawn expands Often I see her pale-faced form there Brushing her hair's bright bands. 'There, too, at pallid midnight moments Quick she will come to my call, Smile from the frame withal Ponderingly, as she used to regard me Passing her father's wall. 'So that it was for its revelations I brought it oversea, And drag it about with me.... Anon I shall break it and bury its fragments Where my grave is to be.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE POWERFUL by WILLIAM ROSE BENET OLD GLASS FACTORY by ISABEL FISKE CONANT ON SEEING SOME NAMES CUT ON A PANE OF GLASS by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM' by THOMAS HARDY 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 |
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