T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Dark-eyed Gentleman
By Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)I. I PITCHED my day’s leazings 1 in Crimmercrock Lane, | |
| To tie up my garter and jog on again, | |
| When a dear dark-eyed gentleman passed there and said, | |
| In a way that made all o’ me colour rose-red, | |
| “What do I see— | 5 |
| O pretty knee!” | |
| And he came and he tied up my garter for me. | |
II. ’Twixt sunset and moonrise it was, I can mind: | |
| Ah, ’tis easy to lose what we nevermore find!— | |
| Of the dear stranger’s home, of his name, I knew nought, | 10 |
| But I soon knew his nature and all that it brought. | |
| Then bitterly | |
| Sobbed I that he | |
| Should ever have tied up my garter for me! | |
III. Yet now I’ve beside me a fine lissom lad, | 15 |
| And my slip’s nigh forgot, and my days are not sad; | |
| My own dearest joy is he, comrade, and friend, | |
| He it is who safe-guards me, on him I depend; | |
| No sorrow brings he, | |
| And thankful I be | 20 |
| That his daddy once tied up my garter for me! |
| Note 1. Bundle of gleaned corn. [back] |