Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT THE PIANO by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: A WOMAN WAS PLAYING
Last Line: AND THE PHANTOM HID NIGH.
Subject(s): MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; PIANOS;
A WOMAN was playing,
A man looking on;
And the mould of her face,
And her neck, and her hair,
Which the rays fell upon
Of the two candles there,
Sent him mentally straying
In some fancy-place
Where pain had no trace.

A cowled Apparition
Came pushing between;
And her notes seemed to sigh;
And the lights to burn pale,
As a spell numbed the scene.
But the maid saw no bale,
And the man no monition;
And Time laughed awry,
And the Phantom hid nigh.



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