I need not go

I need not go
Through sleet and snow
To where I know
She waits for me;
She will tarry me there
Till I find it fair,
And have time to spare
From company.

When I've overgot
The world somewhat,
When things cost not
Such stress and strain,
Is soon enough
By cipress sough
To tell my Love
I am come again.

And if some day,
When none cries nay,
I still delay
To seek her side,
(Though ample measure
Of fitting leisure
Await my pleasure)
She will not chide.

What--not upbraid me
That I delay'd me,
Nor ask what stay'd me
So long? Ah, no!--
New cares may claim me.
New loves inflame me,
She will not blame me,
But suffer it so.

Thomas Hardy

Mmmm, I'm rather upset. On the one hand, I love Mr. Hardy's poetry, and I really like the rhythm of this particular poem. On the other hand, I don't like men thinking it is so easy to abandon women knowing they may come back any day and we will be still waiting for them. The worst of all is that experience (of my own and of friends around) tells me this happens indeed. Of course I'm not referring to every relationship, but there are times when we wait and wait, try patience to the extent of stupidity (or so it seems), and do not want to realise we are wasting our time with a man who simply doesn't care.