Poems (Hardy)/Attained
ATTAINED
A STATELY metaphor they carved for her
In far-brought marble on a splendid tomb,
Among rare roses in the scented gloom
Of ancient groups of fir and juniper.
As if the thought engrailèd mournings were
Full reparation for a sad fore-doom,
Scarce had she gone from out her lonely room
When shadowing draperies made the day a blur.
Yet now the joy of birds in morning song,
The noonday quiet in the lanes of leaves,
The hope of dawns, the spheral peace of night,
All come to that proud spot; there starbeams throng,
And immemorial Nature smiles and weaves
That heart's long grief into her web of light.
In far-brought marble on a splendid tomb,
Among rare roses in the scented gloom
Of ancient groups of fir and juniper.
As if the thought engrailèd mournings were
Full reparation for a sad fore-doom,
Scarce had she gone from out her lonely room
When shadowing draperies made the day a blur.
Yet now the joy of birds in morning song,
The noonday quiet in the lanes of leaves,
The hope of dawns, the spheral peace of night,
All come to that proud spot; there starbeams throng,
And immemorial Nature smiles and weaves
That heart's long grief into her web of light.