Shut Out that Moon
Thomas Hardy
1840 to 1928
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Close up the casement, draw the blind,
Shut out stealing moon,
She wears too much the guise she
Before our lutes were strewn
With years-deep dust, and we read
On a white stone were hewn.
Step out on the dew-dashed lawn
To view the Lady's Chair,
Immense Orion's glittering form,
The Less and Greater Bear:
in; to such sights we were drawn
When faded were fair.
Brush not the bough for midnight scents
come forth lingeringly,
And wake the same sweet sentiments
breathed to you and me
When living seemed a laugh, and love
All it was said to be.
Within common lamp-lit room
Prison my eyes and thought;
Let details crudely loom,
Mechanic speech be wrought:
Too fragrant Life's early bloom,
Too tart the fruit it brought!