Poem by Thomas Hardy

Old Excursions

‘What’s the good of going to Ridgeway,
Cerne, or Sydling Mill,
Or to Yell’ham Hill,
Blithely bearing Casterbridge-way
As we used to do?
She will no more climb up there,
Or be visible anywhere
In those haunts we knew.’

But to-night, while walking weary,
Near me seemed her shade,
Come as ’twere to upbraid
This my mood in deeming dreary
Scenes that used to please;
And, if she did come to me,
Still solicitous, there may be
Good in going to these.

So, I’ll care to roam to Ridgeway,
Cerne, or Sydling Mill,
Or to Yell’ham Hill,
Blithely bearing Casterbridge-way
As we used to do,
Since her phasm may flit out there,
And may greet me anywhere
In those haunts we knew.

1. On the Tune Called the Old-Hundred-and-Fourth
2. The Month’s Calendar
3. Genitrix Laesa
4. The Dead Bastard
5. In Death Divided

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