Thomas Hardy - The Dark-eyed Gentleman lyrics

I I pitched my day's leazings in Crimmercrock Lane, To tie up my garter and jog on again, When a dear dark-eyed gentleman pa**ed there and said, In a way that made all o' me colour rose-red,   "What do I see -   O pretty knee!" And he came and he tied up my garter for me. II 'Twixt sunset and moonrise it was, I can mind: Ah, 'tis easy to lose what we nevermore find! - Of the dear stranger's home, of his name, I knew nought, But I soon knew his nature and all that it brought.   Then bitterly   Sobbed I that he Should ever have tied up my garter for me! III Yet now I've beside me a fine lissom lad, And my slip's nigh forgot, and my days are not sad; My own dearest joy is he, comrade, and friend, He it is who safe-guards me, on him I depend;   No sorrow brings he,   And thankful I be That his daddy once tied up my garter for me!