Gregory, I have not yet read
The Woodlanders, though it is on my list. I will check out the Tess poems (I found a list
here). Thanks for mentioning 'amphibrachs'. I am still feeling my way through these metrical feet. I very much enjoyed the Frost poem. I can immediately see/hear how differently dimeter can be employed.
Ross, a friend had recently shared this very poem ("The Broken Appointment") with me! Actually, it's why I am reading Hardy's poems these days. I find myself struggling with many of his poems. Just gives me more to consider. Thanks for the opportunity to reread a poem of his that I love.
Susan, I caught a sort of sing-songiness to this poem, but didn't recognize the accentual dimeter or its connection to nursery rhymes. I must say that I am not certain I have an ear for accentual meters yet. I trust that will come with more study.
By the way, as I was browsing around Eratosphere, I found these two threads that relate to the topic at hand:
Dimeter
Reading Accentual Poems