The Poetry Corner

Who's In The Next Room?

By Thomas Hardy

"Who's in the next room? - who? I seemed to see Somebody in the dawning passing through, Unknown to me." "Nay: you saw nought. He passed invisibly." "Who's in the next room? - who? I seem to hear Somebody muttering firm in a language new That chills the ear." "No: you catch not his tongue who has entered there." "Who's in the next room? - who? I seem to feel His breath like a clammy draught, as if it drew From the Polar Wheel." "No: none who breathes at all does the door conceal." "Who's in the next room? - who? A figure wan With a message to one in there of something due? Shall I know him anon?" "Yea he; and he brought such; and you'll know him anon."