Versos English Thomas Hardy I — THE TRAGEDY

English poem

I — THE TRAGEDY

by

Listen in the reader

She sits in the tawny vapour That the City lanes have uprolled, Behind whose webby fold on fold Like a waning taper The street-lamp glimmers cold.

A messenger's knock cracks smartly, Flashed news is in her hand Of meaning it dazes to understand Though shaped so shortly: He—has fallen—in the far South Land . . .