by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)
Her definition
Language: English
I lingered through the night to break of day, Nor once did sleep extend a wing to me, Intently busied with a vast array Of epithets that should outfigure thee. Full-featured terms--all fitless--hastened by, And this sole speech remained: "That maiden mine!" - Debarred from due description then did I Perceive the indefinite phrase could yet define. As common chests encasing wares of price Are borne with tenderness through halls of state, For what they cover, so the poor device Of homely wording I could tolerate, Knowing its unadornment held as freight The sweetest image outside Paradise.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928), "Her definition", appears in Time's Laughingstocks and Other Verses, first published 1909 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gordon Ware Binkerd (1916 - 2003), "Her definition", 1966, published c1968 [ low voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 97