English Poetry. Thomas Hardy. Overlooking the River Stour. Томас Гарди (Харди).

Thomas Hardy (Томас Гарди (Харди))

Overlooking the River Stour

The swallows flew in the curves of an eight
Above the river-gleam
In the wet June’s last beam:
Like little crossbows animate
The swallows flew in the curves of an eight
Above the river-gleam.

Planing up shavings of crystal spray
A moor-hen darted out
From the bank thereabout,
And through the stream-shine ripped his way;
Planing up shavings of crystal spray
A moor-hen darted out.

Closed were the kingcups; and the mead
Dripped in monotonous green,
Though the day’s morning sheen
Had shown it golden and honeybee’d;
Closed were the kingcups; and the mead
Dripped in monotonous green.

And never I turned my head, alack,
While these things met my gaze
Through the pane’s drop-drenched glaze,
To see the more behind my back... 
O never I turned, but let, alack,
These less things hold my gaze!

Thomas Hardy’s other poems:

1. The Two Houses
2. The Nettles
3. The Inscription
4. The Weary Walker
5. The Echo-Elf Answers

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