Thomas Hardy was born June 2, 1840, in the village of Upper Bockhampton, located in Southwestern England. His father was a stone mason and a violinist. His mother enjoyed reading and relating all the folk songs and legends of the region. Between his parents, Hardy gained all the interests that would appear in his novels and his own life: his love for architecture and music, his interest in the lifestyles of the country folk, and his passion for all sorts of literature. 

 "Between Us Now"

 Between us now and here - 
   Two thrown together 
Who are not wont to wear 
   Life's flushest feather - 
Who see the scenes slide past, 
The daytimes dimming fast, 
Let there be truth at last, 
   Even if despair. 

So thoroughly and long 
   Have you now known me, 
So real in faith and strong 
   Have I now shown me, 
That nothing needs disguise 
Further in any wise, 
Or asks or justifies 
   A guarded tongue. 

Face unto face, then, say, 
   Eyes mine own meeting, 
Is your heart far away, 
   Or with mine beating? 
When false things are brought low, 
And swift things have grown slow, 
Feigning like froth shall go, 
   Faith be for aye.