There was a time in former years-- br While my roof-tree was his-- br When I should have been distressed by fears br At such a night as this! br br I should have murmured anxiously, br 'The prickling rain strikes cold; br His road is bare of hedge or tree, br And he is getting old.' br br But now the fitful chimney-roar, br The drone of Thorncombe trees, br The Froom in flood upon the moor, br The mud of Mellstock Leaze, br br The candle slanting sooty-wick'd, br The thuds upon the thatch, br The eaves drops on the window flicked, br The clanking garden-hatch, br br And what they mean to wayfarers, br I scarcely heed or mind; br He has won that storm-tight roof of hers br Which Earth grants all her kind.