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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A MILITARY APPOINTMENT (SCHERZANDO) by THOMAS HARDY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SO BACK YOU HAVE COME FROM THE TOWN, NAN, DEAR!
Last Line: "AND IT'S HERE OUR MEETING IS PLANNED TO BE."

"SO back you have come from the town, Nan, dear!
And have you seen him there, or near --
That soldier of mine --
Who long since promised to meet me here?"

"-- O yes, Nell: from the town I come,
And have seen your lover on sick-leave home --
That soldier of yours --
Who swore to meet you, or Strike-him-dumb;

"But has kept himself of late away;
Yet, -- in short, he's coming, I heard him say --
That lover of yours --
To this very spot on this very day."

"-- Then I'll wait, I'll wait, through wet or dry!
I'll give him a goblet brimming high --
This lover of mine --
And not of complaint one word or sigh!"

"-- Nell, him I have chanced so much to see,
That -- he has grown the lover of me! --
That lover of yours --
And it's here our meeting is planned to be."



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