 | Collected poems of Thomas Hardy |  |
The Second Tapping
“That tapping has begun again,
Which ceased a year back, or near then?”
Which ceased a year back, or near then?”
“Yes, 'tis the man you heard before
Making his coffin. The first scarce done
His brother died—his only one—
And, being of his own height, or more,
He used it for him; for he was afraid
He'd not get a long enough one quick made.
He's making a second now, to fit
Himself when there shall be need for it.
Carpenters work so by rule of thumb
That they make mistakes when orders come.”
Making his coffin. The first scarce done
His brother died—his only one—
And, being of his own height, or more,
He used it for him; for he was afraid
He'd not get a long enough one quick made.
He's making a second now, to fit
Himself when there shall be need for it.
Carpenters work so by rule of thumb
That they make mistakes when orders come.”
| Collected poems of Thomas Hardy | |