I Worked no Wile to Meet You
The work explores themes of fate, chance encounters, and the complexities of human relationships. The speaker reflects on an unexpected meeting with another person, emphasizing that there was no intention or desire to meet. The initial avoidance and lack of interest from both parties highlight a sense of detachment and indifference. As the narrative unfolds, the speaker acknowledges the randomness of life and how circumstances can lead to unforeseen connections. The imagery of time and the natural world suggests that despite their initial reluctance, the passage of time and the forces of nature ultimately bring them together. The poem captures the tension between free will and destiny, illustrating how individuals may resist certain paths while being drawn together by unseen forces. The speaker's introspection reveals a deeper understanding of the complexities of attraction and the serendipity of human interactions. Overall, the work presents a nuanced exploration of how relationships can emerge from unexpected situations, challenging the notion of control over one's fate. The interplay of emotions, time, and chance serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and love.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 222 words
First lines
(SONG)
I WORKED no wile to meet you, My sight was set elsewhere, I sheered about to shun you, And lent your life no care. I was unprimed to greet you At such a date and place, Constraint alone had won you Vision of my strange face!
You did not seek to see me Then or at all, you said, -Meant passing when you neared me, But stumblingblocks forbade. You even had thought to flee me, By other mindings moved; No influent star endeared me, Unknown, unrecked, unproved!
What, then, was there to tell us The flux of flustering hours Of their own tide would bring us By no device of ours To where the daysprings well us Heart-hydromels that cheer, Till Time enearth and swing us Round with the turning sphere.
What this Textopian page supports
I Worked no Wile to Meet You 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, Existentialism, Nature
- Length: 222 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing meter and rhyme to convey emotions and themes.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, fate, and emotional introspection align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Lyric — The personal expression of feelings and thoughts indicates a lyrical quality.
- Existentialism — The exploration of fate and the individual's place in the universe reflects existential themes.
Tags
love · loss · fate · destiny · relationships · nature · rural · tragedy · human emotion · social class · romanticism · conflict