Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A POOR MAN AND A LADY, by THOMAS HARDY Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We knew it was not a valid thing Last Line: And no one knew, unless it was god. | ||||||||
WE knew it was not a valid thing, And only sanct in the sight of God (To use your phrase), as with fervent nod You swore your assent when I placed the ring On your pale slim hand. Our whispering Was soft as the fan of a turtledove That round our heads might have seemed to wing; So solemn were we; so sincere our love. We could do no better; and thus it stood Through a time of timorous secret bliss, Till we were divided, and never a kiss Of mine could touch you, or likelihood Illumed our sky that we might, or should Be each to each in the world's wide eye What we were unviewed; and our vows make good In the presence of parents and standers by. I was a striver with deeds to do, And little enough to do them with, And a comely woman of noble kith, With a courtly match to make, were you; And we both were young; and though sterling-true You had proved to our pledge under previous strains, Our "union," as we called it, grew Less grave to your eyes in your town campaigns. Well: the woeful neared, you needn't be told: The current news-sheets clarioned soon That you would be wived on a summer noon By a man of illustrious line and old: Nor better nor worse than the manifold Of marriages made, had there not been Our faith-swearing when fervent-souled, Which, to me, seemed a breachless bar between. We met in a Mayfair church, alone: (The request was mine, which you yielded to.) "But we were not married at all!" urged you: "Why, of course we were!" I said. Your tone, I noted, was world-wise. You went on: "'Twas sweet while it lasted. But you well know That law is law. He'll be, anon, My husband really. You, Dear, weren't so." "I wished -- but to learn if --" faltered I, And stopped. "But I'll sting you not. Farewell!" And we parted. -- Do you recall the bell That tolled by chance as we said good-bye?. . . I saw you no more. The track of a high, Sweet, liberal lady you've doubtless trod. -- All's past! No heart was burst thereby, And no one knew, unless it was God. | 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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