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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


END OF THE YEAR 1912 by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU WERE HERE AT HIS YOUNG BEGINNING
Last Line: ONCE, WHILE SIX BELLS SWUNG THERETO.
Subject(s): HOLIDAYS; NEW YEAR;

YOU were here at his young beginning,
You are not here at his aged end;
Off he coaxed you from Life's mad spinning,
Lest you should see his form extend
Shivering, sighing,
Slowly dying,
And a tear on him expend.

So it comes that we stand lonely
In the star-lit avenue,
Dropping broken lipwords only,
For we hear no songs from you,
Such as flew here
For the new year
Once, while six bells swung thereto.



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