Wessex Poems and Other Verses by Thomas Hardy
page 59 of 106 (55%)
page 59 of 106 (55%)
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Famed "Major Malley's Reel,"
"The Duke of York's," "The Fairy Dance," "The Bridge of Lodi" (brought from France), She beat out, toe and heel. The "Fall of Paris" clanged its close, And Peter's chime told four, When Jenny, bosom-beating, rose To seek her silent door. They tiptoed in escorting her, Lest stroke of heel or clink of spur Should break her goodman's snore. The fire that late had burnt fell slack When lone at last stood she; Her nine-and-fifty years came back; She sank upon her knee Beside the durn, and like a dart A something arrowed through her heart In shoots of agony. Their footsteps died as she leant there, Lit by the morning star Hanging above the moorland, where The aged elm-rows are; And, as o'ernight, from Pummery Ridge To Maembury Ring and Standfast Bridge No life stirred, near or far. Though inner mischief worked amain, |
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