Thomas Hardy — Yellham-woods Story

Coomb-Firtrees say that Life is a moan,        &nbsp And Clyffe-hill Clump says "Yea!" But Yell'ham says a thing of its own:        &nbsp       &nbsp It's not "Gray, gray        &nbsp       &nbsp Is Life alway!"        &nbsp       &nbsp That Yell'ham says,        &nbsp Nor that Life is for ends unknown. It says that Life would signify        &nbsp A thwarted purposing: That we come to live, and are called to die,        &nbsp       &nbsp Yes, that's the thing        &nbsp       &nbsp In fall, in spring,        &nbsp       &nbsp That Yell'ham says:-        &nbsp "Life offers—to deny!"