The weather - that perennial and mostly boring topic of conversation - is given (in the plural) a disarming makeover by Thomas Hardy, with a reminder, at least in the first verse, of brighter times of year.

WEATHERS

I

This is the weather the cuckoo likes,

And so do I;

When showers betumble the chestnut spikes,

And nestlings fly:

And the little brown nightingale bills his best,

And they sit outside at "The Travellers' Rest",

And maids come forth sprig-muslin drest,

And citizens dream of the south and west,

And so do I.

II

This is the weather the shepherd shuns,

And so do I;

When beeches drip in browns and duns,

And thresh, and ply;

And hill-hid tides throb, throe on throe,

And meadow rivulets overflow,

And drops on gate-bars hang in a row,

And rooks in families homeward go,

And so do I.