Thomas Hardy

Wessex Poems and Other Verses Thomas Hardy

CHANGE and chancefulness in my flowering youthtime, Set me sun by sun near to one unchosen; Wrought us fellow-like, and despite divergence, Friends interlinked us."Cherish him can I while the true one forthcome-Come the rich fulfiller of my prevision; Life is roomy yet, and the odds unbounded."So self-communed I. Thwart my wistful way did a damsel saunter, Fair, the while unformed to be all-eclipsing;"Maiden meet," held I, "till arise my forefeltWonder of women."Long a visioned hermitage deep desiring, Tenements uncouth I was fain to house in;"Let such lodging be for a breath-while," thought I,"Soon a more seemly."Then, high handiwork will I make my life-deed, Truth and Light outshow; but the ripe time pending, Intermissive aim at the thing sufficeth."Thus I . . . But lo, me!Mistress, friend, place, aims to be bettered straightway, Bettered not has Fate or my hand's achieving; Sole the showance those of my onward earth-track-Never transcended!4AMABELI MARKED her ruined hues, Her custom-straitened views, And asked, "Can there indwellMy Amabel?"I looked upon her gown, Once rose, now earthen brown; The change was like the knellOf Amabel. Her step's mechanic waysHad lost the life of May's; Her laugh, once sweet in swell, Spoilt Amabel. I mused: "Who sings the strainI sang ere warmth did wane?Who thinks its numbers spellHis Amabel?"-Knowing that, though Love cease, Love's race shows undecrease; All find in dorp or de