 | Collected poems of Thomas Hardy |  |
JOHN AND JANE
I
He sees the world as a boisterous placeWhere all things bear a laughing face,
And humorous scenes go hourly on,
Does John.
II
They find the world a pleasant placeWhere all is ecstasy and grace,
Where a light has risen that cannot wane,
Do John and Jane.
III
They see as a palace their cottage-place,Containing a pearl of the human race,
A hero, maybe, hereafter styled,
Do John and Jane with a baby-child.
IV
They rate the world as a gruesome place,Where fair looks fade to a skull's grimace,—
As a pilgrimage they would fain get done—
Do John and Jane with their worthless son.
| Collected poems of Thomas Hardy | |