"My opinion is that a poet should express the emotion of all the ages and the thought of his own"

Thomas Hardy's quote suggests that a poet must have the ability to record the feelings and ideas of all generations, not just their own. He thinks that a poet must have the ability to reveal the feelings and ideas of the past, present, and future. This means that a poet should be able to record the emotions of those who have come prior to them, in addition to the ideas of those who will come after them. By doing this, a poet can produce a classic piece of work that will be appreciated by all generations. Hardy's quote likewise recommends that a poet must be able to reveal their own ideas and sensations too. This means that a poet ought to be able to develop a special piece of work that shows their own specific viewpoint. By integrating the feelings and thoughts of all ages, a poet can produce a work of art that will be valued by all.