Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AFTERNOON SERVICE AT MELLSTOCK, by THOMAS HARDY


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AFTERNOON SERVICE AT MELLSTOCK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: On afternooons of drowsy calm
Last Line: Since we stood psalming there.


(Circa 1850)

ON afternoons of drowsy calm
We stood in the panelled pew,
Singing one-voiced a Tate-and-Brady psalm
To the tune of 'Cambridge New'.

We watched the elms, we watched the rooks,
The clouds upon the breeze,
Between the whiles of glancing at our books,
And swaying like the trees.

So mindless were those outpourings! -
Though I am not aware
That I have gained by subtle thought on things
Since we stood psalming there.





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