Late Lyrics and Earlier, With Many Other Verses. Томас Харди

Of Keinton Mandeville

       Singing, in flights that played

       As wind-wafts through us all,

       Till they made our mood a thrall

       To their aery rise and fall,

       “Should he upbraid.”

      Rose-necked, in sky-gray gown,

       From a stage in Stower Town

       Did she sing, and singing smile

       As she blent that dexterous voice

       With the ditty of her choice,

       And banished our annoys

       Thereawhile.

      One with such song had power

       To wing the heaviest hour

       Of him who housed with her.

       Who did I never knew

       When her spoused estate ondrew,

       And her warble flung its woo

       In his ear.

      Ah, she’s a beldame now,

       Time-trenched on cheek and brow,

       Whom I once heard as a maid

       From Keinton Mandeville

       Of matchless scope and skill

       Sing, with smile and swell and trill,

       “Should he upbraid!”

      1915 or 1916.