After Reading Psalms XXXIX., XL., Etc.
By Thomas Hardy
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?"