Thomas Hardy — Read by Moonlight

I paused to read a letter of hers        &nbsp By the moon’s cold shine, Eyeing it in the tenderest way, And edging it up to catch each ray        &nbsp Upon her light-penned line. I did not know what years would flow        &nbsp Of her life’s span and mine Ere I read another letter of hers        &nbsp By the moon’s cold shine! I chance now on the last of hers,        &nbsp By the moon’s cold shine; It is the one remaining page Out of the many shallow and sage        &nbsp Whereto she set her sign. Who could foresee there were to be        &nbsp Such letters of pain and pine Ere I should read this last of hers        &nbsp By the moon’s cold shine!