by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)
I am the one
Language: English
I am the one whom ringdoves see Through chinks in boughs When they do not rouse In sudden dread, But stay on cooing, as if they said: 'Oh; it's only he.' I am the passer when up-eared hares, Stirred as they eat The new sprung wheat, Their munch resume As if they thought: 'He is one for whom Nobody cares.' Wet-eyed mourners glance at me As in train they pass Along the grass To a hallowed spot, And think: 'No matter; he quizzes not Our misery.' I hear above: 'We stars must lend No fierce regard To his gaze, so hard Bent on us thus, -- Must scathe him not, He is one with us Beginning and end.
First published in the Daily Telegraph, 1928
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Authorship:
- by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928), "I am the one" [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 Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "I am the one", 2003 [mezzo-soprano and piano] [ sung text checked 1 time]
- by Gerald Finzi (1901 - 1956), "I am the one", c1930, unfinished [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2007-05-04
Line count: 24
Word count: 117