Thomas Hardy — After reading psalms

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?”