Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PROBLEM by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SHALL WE CONCEAL THE CASE, OR TELL IT
Last Line: HUMANITY'S JOY AND PAIN.
SHALL we conceal the Case, or tell it -
We who believe the evidence?
Here and there the watch-towers knell it
With a sullen significance,
Heard of the few who hearken intently and carry an eagerly
upstrained sense.

Hearts that are happiest hold not by it;
Better we let, then, the old view reign:
Since there is peace in that, why decry it?
Since there is comfort, why disdain?
Note not the pigment so long as the painting determines
humanity's joy and pain.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net