Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AFTER READING PSALMS 34, 40, ETC by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SIMPLE WAS I AND WAS YOUNG
Last Line: YEA: QUEM ELEGISTI?'
Subject(s): BIBLE;

SIMPLE was I and was young;
Kept no gallant tryst, I;
Even from good words held my tongue,
Quoniam Tu fecisti!

Through my youth I stirred me not,
High adventure missed I,
Left the shining shrines unsought;
Yet - me deduxisti!

At my start by Helicon
Love-lore little wist I,
Worldly less; but footed on;
Why? Me suscepisti!

When I failed at fervid rhymes,
'Shall,' I said, 'persist I?'
'Dies' (I would add at times)
'Meos posuisti!'

So I have fared through many suns;
Sadly little grist I
Bring my mill, or any one's,
Domine, Tu scisti!

And at dead of night I call:
'Though to prophets list I,
Which hath understood at all?
Yea: Quem elegisti?'




Home: PoetryExplorer.net