Read "Αγνωστω. Θεω" by Thomas Hardy online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
LONG have I framed weak phantasies of Thee, / O Willer masked and dumb! / Who makest Life become,- / As though by labouring all-unknowingly, / Like one whom reveries numb.
How much of consciousness informs Thy will / Thy biddings, as if blind, / Of death-inducing kind, / Nought shows to us ephemeral ones who fill / But moments in Thy mind.
Perhaps Thy ancient rote-restricted ways / Thy ripening rule transcends; / That listless effort tends / To grow percipient with advance of days, / And with percipience mends.
For, in unwonted purlieus, far and nigh, / At whiles or short or long, / May be discerned a wrong / Dying as of self-slaughter; whereat I / Would raise my voice in song.