Late Lyrics and Earlier, With Many Other Verses/The Opportunity

by Thomas Hardy

For works with similar titles, see Opportunity.

THE OPPORTUNITY

(for h. p.)

FORTY springs back, I recall,
We met at this phase of the Maytime:
We might have clung close through all,
But we pated when died that daytime.

We parted with smallest regret;
Perhaps should have cared but slightly,
Just then, if we never had met:
Strange, strange that we lived so lightly!

Had we mused a little space
At that critical date in the Maytime,
One life had been ours, one place,
Perhaps, till our long cold claytime.

—This is a bitter thing
For thee, O man: what ails it?
The tide of chance may bring
Its offer; but nought avails it!