Late Lyrics and Earlier : with Many Other Verses by Thomas Hardy
page 60 of 212 (28%)
page 60 of 212 (28%)
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I hated, and loathed their call.
"I said: 'It is his mother's spirit Hovering around To shield him, maybe!' I used to fear it, As still I found My beauty left no least impression, And remnants of pride withheld confession Of my true trade By speaking; so I delayed. "I said: 'Perhaps with a costly flower He'll be beguiled.' I held it, in passing you one late hour, To your face: you smiled, Keeping step with the throng; though you did not see there A single one that rivalled me there! . . . Well: it's all past. I died in the Lock at last." So walked the dead and I together The quick among, Elbowing our kind of every feather Slowly and long; Yea, long and slowly. That a phantom should stalk there With me seemed nothing strange, and talk there That winter night By flaming jets of light. She showed me Juans who feared their call-time, |
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