“Percussus sum sicut foenum, et aruit cor meum.” Psalm ci.

Wintertime nighs;
But my bereavement-pain
It cannot bring again:
Twice no one dies.

Flower-petals flee;
But, since it once hath been,
No more that severing scene
Can harrow me.

Birds faint in dread:
I shall not lose old strength
In the lone frost's black length:
Strength long since fled!

Leaves freeze to dun;
But friends can not turn cold
This season as of old
For him with none.

Tempests may scath;
But love can not make smart
Again this year his heart
Who no heart hath.

Black is night's cope;
But death will not appal
One who, past doubtings all,
Waits in unhope.


Hardy (very well) read by Richard Burton, a Caedmon recording from 1961. I append four poems read by his barrel-chested friend and fellow Welshman Dylan Thomas (Caedmon & BBC (1952) Kindly seed.

In Tenebris 1
The Souls Of The Slain
Shut Out That Moon
Reminscences Of A Dancing Man
Let Me Enjoy
Channel Firing
Beyond The Last Lamp
Wessex Heights
At Casterbridge Fair
I. The Ballad Singer
II. Former Beauties
III. After The Club Dance
IV. The Market-Girl
V. The Inquiry
VII. After The Fair
"I Found Her Out There"
The Voice
After A Journey
Weathers
The Phantom Horse-Woman
"She Charged Me"
In The Servants' Quarters
In The Study
Timing Her
Great Things
Old Furniture
The Sunshade
At Castle Boterel (RB)

The Poetry of Thomas Hardy - 1 - Penguin Audiobooks
The Poetry of Thomas Hardy - 2 - Love Poems
The Poetry of Thomas Hardy - 3 - Alan Bates