As 'Twere to-Night by Thomas Hardy
The work explores themes of longing, love, and the passage of time through a lyrical and reflective narrative. The speaker experiences a profound emotional awakening, triggered by memories and visions of a girl who embodies grace and beauty. This awakening occurs in a dreamlike state, where the speaker contemplates the significance of these feelings against the backdrop of time. The narrative unfolds in three distinct temporal frames: the past, present, and future. In the first section, the speaker recalls a moment of inspiration and connection, suggesting a deep emotional resonance with the girl. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and yearning, as the speaker grapples with the fleeting nature of such moments. In the second section, the speaker reflects on a more immediate experience, walking and talking with a sense of lightness and curiosity. This contrasts with the earlier introspection, highlighting the duality of existence—joy intertwined with sorrow. The speaker's musings reveal an awareness of the transient nature of happiness and the inevitability of change. The final section introduces a sense of hope and renewal, as the speaker anticipates a new beginning. The phrase "a new life on me" suggests a transformative experience, hinting at the possibility of love or fulfillment in the near future. The imagery of a "dim dear land" evokes a sense of longing for an idealized place or state of being, reinforcing the theme of searching for connection and meaning. Overall, the work captures the complexity of human emotions, the interplay between memory and desire, and the relentless passage of time, ultimately conveying a sense of both melancholy and hope.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 172 words
First lines
(SONG)
AS 'twere to-night, in the brief space Of a far eventime, My spirit rang achime At vision of a girl of grace; As 'twere to-night, in the brief space Of a far eventime.
As 'twere at noontide of to-morrow I airily walked and talked, And wondered as I walked What it could mean, this soar from sorrow; As 'twere at noontide of to-morrow I airily walked and talked.
As 'twere at waning of this week Broke a new life on me; Trancings of bliss to be In some dim dear land soon to seek; As 'twere at waning of this week Broke a new life on me!
What this Textopian page supports
As 'Twere to-Night is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Symbolism, Victorian Literature
- Length: 172 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a lyrical poem, focusing on themes of love, longing, and introspection.
- Romanticism — The poem embodies romantic themes, emphasizing emotional experiences and the beauty of nature and relationships.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor suggests deeper meanings and emotional states, typical of Symbolist poetry.
Tags
poetry · romanticism · nature · melancholy · love · loss · nostalgia · human experience · emotion · reflection · night · dreams