Tess’s Lament
I would that folk forgot me quite,Forgot me quite!I would that I could shrink from sight,And no more see the sun.Would it were time to say farewell,To claim my nook, to need my knell,Time for them all to stand and tellOf my day’s work as done.
Ah! dairy where I lived so long,I lived so long;Where I would rise up stanch and strong,And lie down hopefully.’Twas there within the chimney-seatHe watched me to the clock’s slow beat—Loved me, and learnt to call me sweet,And whispered words to me.
And now he’s gone; and now he’s gone; . . .And now he’s gone!The flowers we potted p’rhaps are thrownTo rot upon the farm.And where we had our supper-fireMay now grow nettle, dock, and briar,And all the place be mould and mireSo cozy once and warm.
And it was I who did it all,Who did it all;’Twas I who made the blow to fallOn him who thought no guile.Well, it is finished—past, and heHas left me to my misery,And I must take my Cross on meFor wronging him awhile.
How gay we looked that day we wed,That day we wed!“May joy be with ye!” all o’m saidA standing by the durn.I wonder what they say o’s now,And if they know my lot; and howShe feels who milks my favourite cow,And takes my place at churn!
It wears me out to think of it,To think of it;I cannot bear my fate as writ,I’d have my life unbe;Would turn my memory to a blot,Make every relic of me rot,My doings be as they were not,And what they’ve brought to me!
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