He Never Expected Much

Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy portrait

1840 to 1928

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Track 1

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While some have shown contempt of me
As each year might assign.
Twas then you said, and since have said,
That life would all be fair.
Upon the whole you have proved to be
I do not promise overmuch,
Wise warning for your credit's sake!
Till they dropped underground.
Times since have said,
Just neutral-tinted haps and such,
From clouds and hills around:
Child; overmuch;
Many with smooth serenity,
Well, World, you have kept faith with me,
Which I for one failed not to take,
In that mysterious voice you shed
Much as you said you were.
And hence could stem such strain and ache
You said to minds like mine.
Many have loved me desperately,
Kept faith with me;
Never, I own, expected I
Since as a child I used to lie
Upon the leaze and watch the sky,

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Poet portrait