LIFE LAUGHS ONWARD

By Thomas Hardy

Rambling I looked for an old abode

Where, years back, one had lived I knew;

Its site a dwelling duly showed,

But it was new.

I went where, not so long ago,

The sod had riven two breasts asunder;

Daisies throve gaily there, as though

No grave were under.

I walked along a terrace where

Loud children gambolled in the sun;

The figure that had once sat there

Was missed by none.

Life laughed and moved on unsubdued,

I saw that Old succumbed to Young:

‘ Twas well. My too regretful mood

Died on my tongue.