“WHO'S IN THE NEXT ROOM?”

By Thomas Hardy

“Who's in the next room?— who?

I seemed to see

Somebody in the dawning passing through,

Unknown to me.”

“Nay: you saw nought. He passed invisibly.”

“Who's in the next room?— who?

I seem to hear

Somebody muttering firm in a language new

That chills the ear.”

“No: you catch not his tongue who has entered there.”

“Who's in the next room?— who?

I seem to feel

His breath like a clammy draught, as if it drew

From the Polar Wheel.”

“No: none who breathes at all does the door conceal.”

“Who's in the next room?— who?

A figure wan

With a message to one in there of something due?

Shall I know him anon?”

“Yea he; and he brought such; and you'll know him anon.”