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1840–1928

THE BEAUTY

Thomas Hardy

O do not praise my beauty more, In such word-wild degree, And say I am one all eyes adore; For these things harass me!

But do for ever softly say: “From now unto the end Come weal, come wanzing, come what may, Dear, I will be your friend.”

I hate my beauty in the glass: My beauty is not I: I wear it: none cares whether, alas, Its wearer live or die!

The inner I O care for, then, Yea, me and what I am, And shall be at the gray hour when My cheek begins to clam.

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THE BEAUTY · Thomas Hardy · Poetry Cove