Skip to content
1840–1928

THEY WOULD NOT COME

Thomas Hardy

I travelled to where in her lifetime She'd knelt at morning prayer, To call her up as if there; But she paid no heed to my suing,

As though her old haunt could win not A thought from her spirit, or care. I went where my friend had lectioned The prophets in high declaim,

That my soul's ear the same Full tones should catch as aforetime; But silenced by gear of the Present Was the voice that once there came!

Where the ocean had sprayed our banquet I stood, to recall it as then: The same eluding again! No vision. Shows contingent

Affrighted it further from me Even than from my home-den. When I found them no responders, But fugitives prone to flee

From where they had used to be, It vouched I had been led hither As by night wisps in bogland, And bruised the heart of me!

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
THEY WOULD NOT COME · Thomas Hardy · Poetry Cove