It is interesting to compare the two following poems, written by twodistinguished English novelists, both men of fine intelligence, noblecharacter, and absolute sincerity. Mr. Hardy's poem appeared in the_Fortnightly Review_, for 1 January, 1907.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
BY THOMAS HARDY
"I have finished another year," said God, "In grey, green, white, and brown; I have strewn the leaf upon the sod, Sealed up the worm within the clod, And let the last sun down."
"And what's the good of it?" I said, "What reasons made You call From formless void this earth I tread, When nine-and-ninety can be read Why nought should be at all?
"Yea, Sire; why shaped You us, 'who in This tabernacle groan'?-- If ever a joy be found herein, Such joy no man had wished to win If he had never known!"
Then He: "My labours logicless You may explain; not I: Sense-sealed I have wrought, without a guess That I evolved a Consciousness To ask for reasons why!
"Strange, that ephemeral creatures who By my own ordering are, Should see the shortness of my view, Use ethic tests I never knew, Or made provision for!"
He sank to raptness as of yore, And opening New Year's Day Wove it by rote as theretofore, And went on working evermore In his unweeting way.
DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO MEA
BY RICHARD DODDRIDGE BLACKMORE
1
In the hour of death, after this life's whim, When the heart beats low, and the eyes grow dim, And pain has exhausted every limb-- The lover of the Lord shall trust in Him.
2
When the will has forgotten the life-long aim, And the mind can only disgrace its fame, And a man is uncertain of his own name, The power of the Lord shall fill this frame.
3
When the last sigh is heaved and the last tear shed, And the coffin is waiting beside the bed, And the widow and the child forsake the dead, The angel of the Lord shall lift this head.
4
For even the purest delight may pall, The power must fail, and the pride must fall, And the love of the dearest friends grow small-- But the glory of the Lord is all in all.
This poem, with the signature "R. D. B. in memoriam M. F. G." firstappeared in the _University Magazine_ in 1879. Although it has beenincluded in some anthologies, the author's name was kept an absolutesecret until July, 1909. In the _Athenaeum_ for 3 July, 1909, was printedan interesting letter from Agnes E. Cook, by which we learn that thelate Mr. Blackmore actually _dreamed_ this poem, in its exact languageand metre. The letter from the author which was published in the same_Athenaeum_ article, gives the facts connected with this extraordinarydream.
Teddn Jany 5th 1879. My Dear Sir.
Having lately been at the funeral of a most dear relation I was there again (in a dream) last night, and heard the mourners sing the lines enclosed, which impressed me so that I was able to write them without change of a word this morning. I never heard or read them before to my knowledge. They do not look so well on paper as they sounded; but if you like to print them, here they are. Only please not to put my name beyond initials or send me money for them. With all good wishes to Mrs. Cook and yourself
Very truly yours R. D. Blackmore. K Cook Esqre L.L.D.