Poem by Thomas Hardy

At the Draper’s

‘I stood at the back of the shop, my dear,
But you did not perceive me.
Well, when they deliver what you were shown
I shall know nothing of it, believe me!’

And he coughed and coughed as she paled and said,
‘O, I didn’t see you come in there –
Why couldn’t you speak?’ – ‘Well, I didn’t. I left
That you should not notice I’d been there.

‘You were viewing some lovely things. “Soon required
For a widow, of latest fashion;”
And I knew ’twould upset you to meet the man
Who had to be cold and ashen

‘And screwed in a box before they could dress you
“In the last new note in mourning,”
As they defined it. So, not to distress you,
I left you to your adorning.’

1. Afternoon Service at Mellstock
2. At the Word ‘Farewell’
3. Tragedian to Tragedienne
4. The Three Tall Men
5. A Victorian Rehearsal

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