Postponement

Thomas Hardy

     SNOW-BOUND in woodland, a mournful word,
     Dropt now and then from the bill of a bird,
     Reached me on wind-wafts; and thus I heard,
        Wearily waiting:--

     "I planned her a nest in a leafless tree,
     But the passers eyed and twitted me,
     And said: 'How reckless a bird is he,
        Cheerily mating!'

     "Fear-filled, I stayed me till summer-tide,
     In lewth of leaves to throne her bride;
     But alas! her love for me waned and died,
        Wearily waiting.

     "Ah, had I been like some I see,
     Born to an evergreen nesting-tree,
     None had eyed and twitted me,
        Cheerily mating!"

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