Thomas Hardy - Read by Moonlight lyrics

I paused to read a letter of hers   By the moon's cold shine, Eyeing it in the tenderest way, And edging it up to catch each ray   Upon her light-penned line. I did not know what years would flow   Of her life's span and mine Ere I read another letter of hers   By the moon's cold shine! I chance now on the last of hers,   By the moon's cold shine; It is the one remaining page Out of the many shallow and sage   Whereto she set her sign. Who could foresee there were to be   Such letters of pain and pine Ere I should read this last of hers   By the moon's cold shine!