Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FIRST OR LAST (SONG) by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: IF GRIEF COME EARLY
Last Line: AYE, MY DEAR AND TENDER!
Subject(s): GRIEF; SORROW; SADNESS;
IF grief come early
Joy comes late,
If joy come early
Grief will wait;
Aye, my dear and tender!

Wise ones joy them early
While the cheeks are red,
Banish grief till surly
Time has dulled their dread.

And joy being ours
Ere youth has flown,
The later hours
May find us gone;
Aye, my dear and tender!



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