Thomas Hardy - The Opportunity lyrics

Forty springs back, I recall,   We met at this phase of the Maytime: We might have clung close through all,   But we parted when died that daytime. We parted with smallest regret;   Perhaps should have cared but slightly, Just then, if we never had met:   Strange, strange that we lived so lightly! Had we mused a little space   At that critical date in the Maytime, One life had been ours, one place,   Perhaps, till our long cold daytime. - This is a bitter thing   For thee, O man: what ails it? The tide of chance may bring   Its offer; but nought avails it!