The Subalterns Thomas Hardy, English homework help

Paraphrase the following poem:

The Subalterns

Thomas Hardy

‘Poor wanderer,’ said the leaden sky,

‘I fain would lighten thee,

But there are laws in force on high

Which say it must not be.’

–‘I would not freeze thee, shorn one,’ cried 5

The North, ‘knew I but how

To warm my breath, to slack my stride;

But I am ruled as thou.’

–‘Tomorrow I attack thee, wight,’

Said Sickness, ‘Yet I swear 10

I bear thy little ark no spite,

But am bid enter there.’

–‘Come hither, Son,’ I heard Death say;

‘I did not will a grave

Should end thy pilgrimage to-day, 15

But I, too, am a slave!’

We smiled upon each other then,

And life to me had less

of that fell look it wore ere when

They owned their passiveness. 20

 

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