Thomas Hardy - Rake-hell muses lyrics

Yes; since she knows not need,   Nor walks in blindness, I may without unkindness   A true thing tell: Which would be truth, indeed,  Though worse in speaking, Were her poor footsteps seeking   A pauper's cell. I judge, then, better far   She now have sorrow, Than gladness that to-morrow   Might know its knell. - It may be men there are   Could make of union A lifelong sweet communion -   A pa**ioned spell; But I, to save her name   And bring salvation By altar-affirmation   And bridal bell; I, by whose rash unshame   These tears come to her:- My faith would more undo her   Than my farewell! Chained to me, year by year   My moody madness Would wither her old gladness   Like famine fell. She'll take the ill that's near,   And bear the blaming. ‘Twill pa**. Full soon her shaming   They'll cease to yell. Our unborn, first her moan,   Will grow her guerdon, Until from blot and burden   A joyance swell; In that therein she'll own   My good part wholly, My evil staining solely   My own vile vell. Of the disgrace, may be   “He shunned to share it, Being false,” they'll say. I'll bear it;   Time will dispel The calumny, and prove   This much about me, That she lives best without me   Who would live well. That, this once, not self-love   But good intention Pleads that against convention   We two rebel. For, is one moonlight dance,   One midnight pa**ion, A rock whereon to fashion   Life's citadel? Prove they their power to prance   Life's miles together From upper slope to nether   Who trip an ell? - Years hence, or now apace,   May tongues be calling News of my further falling   Sinward pell-mell: Then this great good will grace  Our lives' division, She's saved from more misprision   Though I plumb hell.