Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CIRCUS-RIDER TO RINGMASTER, by THOMAS HARDY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CIRCUS-RIDER TO RINGMASTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When I am riding round the ring no longer
Last Line: As in these last years!


WHEN I am riding round the ring no longer,
Tell a tale of me;
Say, no steed-borne woman's nerve was stronger
Than used mine to be.
Let your whole soul say it; do:
O it will be true!

Should I soon no more be mistress found in
Feats I've made my own,
Trace the tan-laid track you'd whip me round in
On the cantering roan:
There may cross your eyes again
My lithe look as then.

Show how I, when clay became my cover,
Took the high-hoop leap
Into your arms, who coaxed and grew my lover, --
Ah, to make me weep
Since those claspings cared for so
Ever so long ago!

Though not now as when you freshly knew me,
But a fading form,
Shape the kiss you'd briskly blow up to me
While our love was warm,
And my cheek unstained by tears,
As in these last years!





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