Quotes from work
The Dynasts

The Dynasts

The Dynasts is an English-language closet drama in verse by Thomas Hardy. Hardy himself described this work as "an epic-drama of the war with Napoleon, in three parts, nineteen acts and one hundred and thirty scenes". Not counting the Forescene and the Afterscene, the exact total number of scenes is 131. The three parts were published in 1904, 1906 and 1908.


Thomas Hardy photo

“My argument is that War makes rattling good history; but Peace is poor reading.”

Pt. II, sc. v, Spirit Sinister
The Dynasts (1904–1908)

Thomas Hardy photo

“What of the Immanent Will and Its designs?
It works unconsciously, as heretofore,
Eternal artistries in Circumstance.”

Pt. I, forescene, Shade of the Earth & Spirit of the Years
The Dynasts (1904–1908)

Thomas Hardy photo

“A local cult, called Christianity.”

Pt. I, sc. vi, Spirit of the Years
The Dynasts (1904–1908)

Thomas Hardy photo

“Aggressive Fancy working spells
Upon a mind o’erwrought.”

Pt. I, sc. vi, Napoleon
The Dynasts (1904–1908)

Thomas Hardy photo

“Why doth IT so and so, and ever so,
This viewless, voiceless Turner of the Wheel?”

Pt. I, forescene, Spirit of the Pities
The Dynasts (1904–1908)

Thomas Hardy photo

“Ere systemed suns were globed and lit
The slaughters of the race were writ.”

Pt. II, sc. v, Semichorus I
The Dynasts (1904–1908)

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