Thomas Hardy - A Broken Appointment

Lyrics

You did not come And marching Time drew on, and wore me numb,— Yet less for loss of your dear presence there Than that I thus found lacking in your make That high compassion which can overbear Reluctance for pure lovingkindness' sake Grieved I, when, as the hope-hour stroked its sum You did not come You love not me And love alone can lend you loyalty; –I know and knew it. But, unto the store Of human deeds divine in all but name Was it not worth a little hour or more To add yet this: Once you, a woman, came To soothe a time-torn man; even though it be You love not me?