Read "On the Doorstep" by Thomas Hardy online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
THE rain imprinted the step's wet shine / With target-circles that quivered and crossed / As I was leaving this porch of mine; / When from within there swelled and paused / A song's sweet note; / And back I turned, and thought, / "Here I'll abide."
The step shines wet beneath the rain, / Which prints its circles as heretofore; / I watch them from the porch again, / But no song-notes within the door / Now call to me / To shun the dripping lea / And forth I stride.