Thomas Hardy - Penance lyrics

“Why do you sit, O pale thin man,   At the end of the room By that harpsichord, built on the quaint old plan?   - It is cold as a tomb, And there's not a spark within the grate;   And the jingling wires   Are as vain desires   That have lagged too late.” “Why do I? Alas, far times ago   A woman lyred here In the evenfall; one who fain did so   From year to year; And, in loneliness bending wistfully,   Would wake each note   In sick sad rote,   None to listen or see! “I would not join. I would not stay,   But drew away, Though the winter fire beamed brightly . . . Aye!   I do to-day What I would not then; and the chill old keys,   Like a skull's brown teeth   Loose in their sheath,   Freeze my touch; yes, freeze.”