By Footpath and Stile (1921-22)

I went by footpath and by stile
Beyond where bustle ends,
Strayed here a mile and there a mile
And called upon some friends.

On certain ones I had not seen
For years past did I call,
And then on others who had been
The oldest friends of all.

It was the time of midsummer
When they had used to roam;
But now, though tempting was the air,
I found them all at home...

Text by Thomas Hardy
from Moments of Vision and Miscellaneous Verses (1917)