I wake and feel the fell of dark, not day. What hours, O what black hoürs we have spent This night! what sights you, heart, saw; ways you went! And more must, in yet longer light’s delay. With witness I speak this. But where I say
Hours I mean years, mean life. And my lament Is cries countless, cries like dead letters sent To dearest him that lives alas! away.
I am gall, I am heartburn. God’s most deep decree Bitter would have me taste: my taste was me;
[10]
Selfyeast of spirit a dull dough sours. I see The lost are like this, and their scourge to be As I am mine, their sweating selves; but worse.
[5]
GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
[1] fell: blow (downfall or sin in Old English) [5] witness: evidence; proof [9] gall: bile (bitter) [9] decree:
[12] Selfyeast of spirit a dull dough sours: the ‘yeast’ of Hopkins’ soul is sour and is ruining the dough