Thomas Hardy — V.R. 1819-1901 A Reverie

Moments the mightiest pass uncalendared,         And when the Absolute In backward Time outgave the deedful word         Whereby all life is stirred: "Let one be born and throned whose mould shall constitute The norm of every royal-reckoned attribute,"         No mortal knew or heard. But in due days the purposed Life outshone -         Serene, sagacious, free; —Her waxing seasons bloomed with deeds well done,         And the world's heart was won . . . Yet may the deed of hers most bright in eyes to be Lie hid from ours—as in the All-One's thought lay she -         Till ripening years have run. SUNDAY NIGHT, 27th January 1901.