Absence by Robert Bridges

Published: Feb. 8, 2008, 8:01 a.m.

Bridges read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\nGiving voice to the poetry of the past.\n\n---------------------------------------------\n\n\nAbsence \nby Robert Bridges (1844\u20131930)\n\nWhen my love was away,\nFull three days were not sped,\nI caught my fancy astray\nThinking if she were dead,\nAnd I alone, alone:\nIt seem'd in my misery\nIn all the world was none\nEver so lone as I.\n\nI wept; but it did not shame\nNor comfort my heart: away\nI rode as I might, and came\nTo my love at close of day.\n\nThe sight of her still'd my fears,\nMy fairest-hearted love:\nAnd yet in her eyes were tears:\nWhich when I question'd of,\n\n'O now thou art come,' she cried,\n''Tis fled: but I thought to-day\nI never could here abide,\nIf thou wert longer away.'\n\n\nThis poem is part of Love Poetry Week on Classic Poetry Aloud. \nFor the week's introductory podcast, visit:\nhttp://classicpoetryaloud.podomatic.com/entry/2008-02-07T08_04_59-08_00