Poem by Thomas Hardy

The Faded Face

How was this I did not see
Such a look as here was shown
Ere its womanhood had blown
Past its first felicity? –
That I did not know you young,
Faded Face,
Know you young!

Why did Time so ill bestead
That I heard no voice of yours
Hail from out the curved contours
Of those lips when rosy red;
Weeted not the songs they sung,
Faded Face,
Songs they sung!

By these blanchings, blooms of old,
And the relics of your voice –
Leavings rare of rich and choice
From your early tone and mould –
Let me mourn, – aye, sorrow-wrung,
Faded Face,
Sorrow-wrung!

1. The Aërolite
2. Genitrix Laesa
3. Song from Heine
4. The Bad Example
5. Timing Her

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