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An Autumn Rain-Scene

There trudges one to a merry-making
      With a sturdy swing,
   On whom the rain comes down.
To fetch the saving medicament
      Is another bent,
   On whom the rain comes down.
One slowly drives his herd to the stall
      Ere ill befall,
   On whom the rain comes down.
This bears his missives of life and death
      With quickening breath,
   On whom the rain comes down.
One watches for signals of wreck or war
      From the hill afar,
   On whom the rain comes down.
No care if he gain a shelter or none,
      Unhired moves one,
   On whom the rain comes down.
And another knows nought of its chilling fall
      Upon him at all,
   On whom the rain comes down.

October 1904.

Literature Network » Thomas Hardy » Late Lyrics and Earlier » An Autumn Rain-Scene