Poem by Thomas Hardy

The Colour

‘What shall I bring you?
Please will white do
Best for your wearing
The long day through?’
‘ – White is for weddings,
Weddings, weddings,
White is for weddings,
And that won’t do.’

‘What shall I bring you?
Please will red do
Best for your wearing
The long day through?’
‘ – Red is for soldiers,
Soldiers, soldiers,
Red is for soldiers,
And that won’t do.’

‘What shall I bring you?
Please will blue do
Best for your wearing
The long day through?’
‘ – Blue is for sailors,
Sailors, sailors,
Blue is for sailors,
And that won’t do.’

‘What shall I bring you?
Please will green do
Best for your wearing
The long day through?’
‘ – Green is for mayings,
Mayings, mayings,
Green is for mayings,
And that won’t do.’

‘What shall I bring you
Then? Will black do
Best for your wearing
The long day through?’
‘ – Black is for mourning,
Mourning, mourning,
Black is for mourning,
And black will do.’

1. Genitrix Laesa
2. Song from Heine
3. V.R. 1819–1901
4. Paths of Former Time
5. Over the Coffin

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