Read "After Reading Psalms" by Thomas Hardy online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
XXXIX., XL., ETC.
SIMPLE was I and was young; / Kept no gallant tryst, I; / Even from good words held my tongue, / _Quoniam Tu fecisti_!
Through my youth I stirred me not, / High adventure missed I, / Left the shining shrines unsought; / Yet-_me deduxisti_!
At my start by Helicon / Love-lore little wist I, / Worldly less; but footed on; / Why? _Me suscepisti_!
When I failed at fervid rhymes, / "Shall," I said, "persist I? " / "_Dies_" (I would add at times) / "_Meos posuisti_!"
So I have fared through many suns; / Sadly little grist I / Bring my mill, or any one's, / _Domine_, _Tu scisti_!
And at dead of night I call: / "Though to prophets list I, / Which hath understood at all? / Yea: _Quem elegisti_? "