FW: [Hardy-l] A Grammatical Question

[Roy Buckle]

I suppose this is a matter that would be better raised on POTM
but I won't delay it until Betty decides to drop it in my lap.

It concerns the poem "Shut Out That Moon" in 'Time's LaughingStocks'.
No!: it's not the lack of a hyphen in that long word but the omission of an
apostrophe in line 10 of the poem.
This reads
                           The Less and Greater Bear:

I do not recall ever hearing Hardy criticised for bad grammar but I have
always baulked a little at the poet's licentiousness in using Less for
Lesser even though the poem reads (and a song setting of mine sings)
better this way, building as it does the urgency I assume in the next line:

                            Stay in;

I much regret not having got round to asking Jim Gibson about this, for
he had a very high regard for the poem and like Hynes records in his
variorum
Hardy's previous use of 'small' in the ms. which would have been an inferior
choice.

So I don't know if I am quarrelling with Hardy or not.   In case I should be
taken to be
unduly (=overly) critical let me just add:
how could one not but admire the sheer poignancy of the final couplet: the
brevity
and simplicity of that poetic comment leaves a lasting reminder of the
Hardys'
sad history.

                            Too fragrant was Life's early bloom,
                            Too tart the fruit it brought!

Woe betide anyone who attempts to be 'clever' and overemphasises the
alliteration there.

Regards to all.
RB.



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