Thomas Hardy
Yell’ham-wood’s 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!"