Need help paraphrasing Thomas Hardy...?

Question

From the poem, "On the departure Platform"

-'And why, young man, must eternally fly

A joy you'll repeat, if you love her well?'

- O friend, nought happens twice thus; why,

I cannot tell!

is the stanza I need help with. The best I can come up with is,

"then why young man, must you eternally do, and enjoy this repeatedly, if you love her so much? My friend it's only happend twice, that's why, I cannot tell."

Still doesnt really make sense, any help at all would be awesome.

Answer 1

The poet is regretting the end of his time with his love.  

"And why, young man, must eternally fly

A joy you'll repeat, if you love her well?"

meaning

"Why do so regret that this time together is over?  You are in love,  you will be together again."

" O friend, nought happens twice thus; why,

I cannot tell!"

means "Friend, nothing happens the exactly the same way twice, I can't explain it!."

"We'll be together again, and it will be nice, but it won't be the same. I can't explain it."