Download "One We Knew"

Album Time’s Laughingstocks, and Other Verses

One We Knew by Thomas Hardy

Performed by
Thomas Hardy

One We Knew Annotated

She told how they used to form for the country dances -
&nbsp "The Triumph," "The New-rigged Ship" -
To the light of the guttering wax in the panelled manses,
&nbsp And in cots to the blink of a dip.

She spoke of the wild "poussetting" and "allemanding"
&nbsp On carpet, on oak, and on sod;
And the two long rows of ladies and gentlemen standing,
&nbsp And the figures the couples trod.

She showed us the spot where the maypole was yearly planted,
&nbsp And where the bandsmen stood
While breeched and kerchiefed partners whirled, and panted
&nbsp To choose each other for good.

She told of that far-back day when they learnt astounded
&nbsp Of the death of the King of France:
Of the Terror; and then of Bonaparte's unbounded
&nbsp Ambition and arrogance.

Of how his threats woke warlike preparations
&nbsp Along the southern strand,
And how each night brought tremors and trepidations
&nbsp Lest morning should see him land.

She said she had often heard the gibbet creaking
&nbsp As it swayed in the lightning flash,
Had caught from the neighbouring town a small child's shrieking
&nbsp At the cart-tail under the lash . . .

With cap-framed face and long gaze into the embers -
&nbsp We seated around her knees -
She would dwell on such dead themes, not as one who remembers,
&nbsp But rather as one who sees.

She seemed one left behind of a band gone distant
&nbsp So far that no tongue could hail:
Past things retold were to her as things existent,
&nbsp Things present but as a tale.

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