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Thomas Hardy - I Have Lived With Shades
Work rating: Medium

I 

I have lived with shades so long, 
And talked to them so oft, 
Since forth from cot and croft 
I went mankind among, 
   That sometimes they 
   In their dim style 
   Will pause awhile 
   To hear my say; 

II 

And take me by the hand, 
And lead me through their rooms 
In the To-be, where Dooms 
Half-wove and shapeless stand: 
   And show from there 
   The dwindled dust 
   And rot and rust 
   Of things that were. 

III 

"Now turn," spake they to me 
One day: "Look whence we came, 
And signify his name 
Who gazes thence at thee." - 
   —"Nor name nor race 
   Know I, or can," 
   I said, "Of man 
   So commonplace. 

IV 

"He moves me not at all; 
I note no ray or jot 
Of rareness in his lot, 
Or star exceptional. 
   Into the dim 
   Dead throngs around 
   He`ll sink, nor sound 
   Be left of him." 

V 

"Yet," said they, "his frail speech, 
Hath accents pitched like thine - 
Thy mould and his define 
A likeness each to each - 
   But go! Deep pain 
   Alas, would be 
   His name to thee, 
   And told in vain!" 

"O memory, where is now my youth, 
Who used to say that life was truth?" 

"I saw him in a crumbled cot 
   Beneath a tottering tree; 
That he as phantom lingers there 
   Is only known to me." 

"O Memory, where is now my joy, 
Who lived with me in sweet employ?" 

"I saw him in gaunt gardens lone, 
   Where laughter used to be; 
That he as phantom wanders there 
   Is known to none but me." 

"O Memory, where is now my hope, 
Who charged with deeds my skill and scope?" 

"I saw her in a tomb of tomes, 
   Where dreams are wont to be; 
That she as spectre haunteth there 
   Is only known to me." 

"O Memory, where is now my faith, 
One time a champion, now a wraith?" 

"I saw her in a ravaged aisle, 
   Bowed down on bended knee; 
That her poor ghost outflickers there 
   Is known to none but me." 

"O Memory, where is now my love, 
That rayed me as a god above?" 

"I saw him by an ageing shape 
   Where beauty used to be; 
That his fond phantom lingers there 
   Is only known to me."
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