Thomas Hardy - The Clock Of The Years lyrics

"A spirit pa**ed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up." And the Spirit said, "I can make the clock of the years go backward, But am loth to stop it where you will." And I cried, "Agreed To that. Proceed: It's better than dead!" He answered, "Peace"; And called her up—as last before me; Then younger, younger she freshed, to the year I first had known Her woman-grown, And I cried, "Cease! - "Thus far is good - It is enough—let her stay thus always!" But alas for me. He shook his head: No stop was there; And she waned child-fair, And to babyhood. Still less in mien To my great sorrow became she slowly, And smalled till she was nought at all In his checkless griff; And it was as if She had never been. "Better," I plained, "She were dead as before! The memory of her Had lived in me; but it cannot now!" And coldly his voice: "It was your choice To mar the ordained." 1916.