To a Lady by Thomas Hardy (1917)
The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the inevitable fading of affection. The speaker reflects on a relationship that has soured, likely due to misunderstandings or external influences. The imagery of a closing page symbolizes the end of a chapter in their connection, suggesting a sense of finality and resignation. The speaker acknowledges the lady's capacity for receptivity, implying that she may easily be swayed by others or by new experiences. This recognition leads to a sense of melancholy as the speaker anticipates being forgotten, replaced by more appealing or comforting thoughts. The metaphor of flambeaux banishing evening highlights the contrast between the speaker's dark, troubled presence and the brighter, more inviting aspects of life that the lady may choose to embrace. As the poem progresses, the speaker resigns to the idea that their presence will diminish in her life, becoming merely a fleeting memory. The tone shifts from one of hope to acceptance, as the speaker grapples with the reality that truth, in its essence, remains unchanged despite the emotional turmoil. The work encapsulates the pain of unreciprocated feelings and the bittersweet nature of love that can fade over time, leaving behind only echoes of what once was.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 174 words
First lines
OFFENDED BY A BOOK OF THE WRITER'S
NOW that my page upcloses, doomed, maybe, / Never to press thy cosy cushions more, / Or wake thy ready Yeas as heretofore, / Or stir thy gentle vows of faith in me:
Knowing thy natural receptivity, / I figure that, as flambeaux banish eve, / My sombre image, warped by insidious heave / Of those less forthright, must lose place in thee.
So be it. I have borne such. Let thy dreams / Of me and mine diminish day by day, / And yield their space to shine of smugger things; / Till I shape to thee but in fitful gleams, / And then in far and feeble visitings, / And then surcease. Truth will be truth alway.
What this Textopian page supports
To a Lady 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, Victorian Literature, Elegy
- Length: 174 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To a Lady by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and emotional expression are central to the text.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Victorian Literature — The author, Thomas Hardy, is a prominent figure in Victorian literature, reflecting its themes and style.
Tags
poetry · romantic · love · nature · emotion · elegance · beauty · longing · yearning · introspection · sentiment · melancholy