Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)

In Time of “The Breaking of Nations”° 1915

1

Only a man harrowing clods

In a slow silent walk

With an old horse that stumbles and nods

Half asleep as they stalk.

2

Only thin smoke without flame 5

From the heaps of couch-grass;

Yet this will go onward the same

Though Dynasties pass.

3

Yonder a maid and her wight° man

Come whispering by: 10

War’s annals will cloud into night

Ere their story die.