Collected poems of Thomas Hardy With a portrait |
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HER CONFESSION |
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 | Collected poems of Thomas Hardy |  |
218
HER CONFESSION
As some bland soul, to whom a debtor says
“I'll now repay the amount I owe to you,”
In inward gladness feigns forgetfulness
That such a payment ever was his due
“I'll now repay the amount I owe to you,”
In inward gladness feigns forgetfulness
That such a payment ever was his due
(His long thought notwithstanding), so did I
At our last meeting waive your proffered kiss
With quick divergent talk of scenery nigh,
By such suspension to enhance my bliss.
At our last meeting waive your proffered kiss
With quick divergent talk of scenery nigh,
By such suspension to enhance my bliss.
And as his looks in consternation fall
When, gathering that the debt is lightly deemed,
The debtor makes as not to pay at all,
So faltered I, when your intention seemed
When, gathering that the debt is lightly deemed,
The debtor makes as not to pay at all,
So faltered I, when your intention seemed
Converted by my false uneagerness
To putting off for ever the caress.
To putting off for ever the caress.
W. P. V., 1865–67.
| Collected poems of Thomas Hardy | |