He Never Expected Much
Thomas Hardy
1840 to 1928
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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Times since have said,
Child; overmuch;
Wise warning for your credit's sake!
That life would all be fair.
"I do not promise overmuch,
You said to minds like mine.
Just neutral-tinted haps and such,
Much as you said you were.
In that mysterious voice you shed
Many with smooth serenity,
"Many have loved me desperately,
Which I for one failed not to take,
'Twas then you said, and since have said,
Till they dropped underground.
From clouds and hills around:
Since as a child I used to lie
Never, I own, expected I
And hence could stem such strain and ache
While some have shown contempt of me
Well, World, you have kept faith with me,
As each year might assign.
Upon the whole you have proved to be
Upon the leaze and watch the sky,
Kept faith with me;