Explore "Cross-Currents" by Thomas Hardy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
THEY parted-a pallid, trembling I pair, / And rushing down the lane / He left her lonely near me there; / -I asked her of their pain.
"It is for ever," at length she said, / "His friends have schemed it so, / That the long-purposed day to wed / Never shall we two know."
"In such a cruel case," said I, / "Love will contrive a course? " / "-Well, no... A thing may underlie, / Which robs that of its force;
"A thing I could not tell him of, / Though all the year I have tried; / This: never could I have given him love, / Even had I been his bride.
"So, when his kinsfolk stop the way / Point-blank, there could not be / A happening in the world to-day / More opportune for me!
"Yet hear-no doubt to your surprise- / I am sorry, for his sake, / That I have escaped the sacrifice / I was prepared to make! "