In The Vaulted Way

In The Vaulted Way by Thomas Hardy

 In the vaulted way, where the passage turned 
To the shadowy corner that none could see,
You paused for our parting, - plaintively:
Though overnight had come words that burned 
My fond frail happiness out of me.

And then I kissed you, - despite my thought
That our spell must end when reflection came
On what you had deemed me, whose one long aim 
Had been to serve you; that what I sought 
Lay not in a heart that could breathe such blame.

But yet I kissed you: whereon you again
As of old kissed me. Why, why was it so?
Do you cleave to me after that light-tongued blow?
If you scorned me at eventide, how love then?
The thing is dark, Dear. I do not know.

Form: Quintain (English) Comments

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