T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Dark-eyed Gentleman
By Thomas Hardy (18401928)I. I PITCHED my day’s leazings 1 in Crimmercrock Lane, | |
To tie up my garter and jog on again, | |
When a dear dark-eyed gentleman passed there and said, | |
In a way that made all o’ me colour rose-red, | |
“What do I see— | 5 |
O pretty knee!” | |
And he came and he tied up my garter for me. | |
II. ’Twixt sunset and moonrise it was, I can mind: | |
Ah, ’tis easy to lose what we nevermore find!— | |
Of the dear stranger’s home, of his name, I knew nought, | 10 |
But I soon knew his nature and all that it brought. | |
Then bitterly | |
Sobbed I that he | |
Should ever have tied up my garter for me! | |
III. Yet now I’ve beside me a fine lissom lad, | 15 |
And my slip’s nigh forgot, and my days are not sad; | |
My own dearest joy is he, comrade, and friend, | |
He it is who safe-guards me, on him I depend; | |
No sorrow brings he, | |
And thankful I be | 20 |
That his daddy once tied up my garter for me! |
Note 1. Bundle of gleaned corn. [back] |