He Never Expected Much

Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy portrait

1840 to 1928

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Track 1

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

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Poet portrait