Thomas Hardy (Томас Гарди (Харди))
After Reading Psalms XXXIX, XL, etc
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?’
Thomas Hardy’s other poems:
936