Her Dilemma
(In - Church) The two were silent in a sunless church, Whose mildewed walls, uneven paving-stones, And wasted carvings passed antique research; And nothing broke the clock's dull monotones. Leaning against a wormy poppy-head, So wan and worn that he could scarcely stand, - For he was soon to die, he softly said, "Tell me you love me!" holding hard her hand. She would have given a world to breathe "yes" truly, So much his life seemed handing on her mind, And hence she lied, her heart persuaded throughly 'Twas worth her soul to be a moment kind. But the sad need thereof, his nearing death, So mocked humanity that she shamed to prize A world conditioned thus, or care for breath Where Nature such dilemmas could devise. 1866.
AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.
About this line
"(In - Church)..."
"Her Dilemma" is a quintessential example of Thomas Hardy's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...