The poem
I
In Casterbridge there stood a noble pile, Wrought with pilaster, bay, and balustrade In tactful times when shrewd Eliza swayed. - On burgher, squire, and clown It smiled the long street down for near a mile
II
But evil days beset that domicile; The stately beauties of its roof and wall Passed into sordid hands. Condemned to fall Were cornice, quoin, and cove, And all that art had wove in antique style.
III
Among the hired dismantlers entered there One till the moment of his task untold. When charged therewith he gazed, and answered bold: "Be needy I or no, I will not help lay low a house so fair!
IV
"Hunger is hard. But since the terms be such - No wage, or labour stained with the disgrace Of wrecking what our age cannot replace To save its tasteless soul - I'll do without your dole. Life is not much!
V
Dismissed with sneers he backed his tools and went, And wandered workless; for it seemed unwise To close with one who dared to criticize And carp on points of taste: To work where they were placed rude men were meant.
VI
Years whiled. He aged, sank, sickened, and was not: And it was said, "A man intractable And curst is gone." None sighed to hear his knell, None sought his churchyard-place; His name, his rugged face, were soon forgot.
VII
The stones of that fair hall lie far and wide, And but a few recall its ancient mould; Yet when I pass the spot I long to hold As truth what fancy saith: "His protest lives where deathless things abide!"