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1840–1928

THE BULLFINCHES

Thomas Hardy

Bother Bulleys, let us sing From the dawn till evening! - For we know not that we go not When the day's pale pinions fold

Unto those who sang of old. When I flew to Blackmoor Vale, Whence the green-gowned faeries hail, Roosting near them I could hear them

Speak of queenly Nature's ways, Means, and moods,— well known to fays. All we creatures, nigh and far ( Said they there ), the Mother's are:

Yet she never shows endeavour To protect from warrings wild Bird or beast she calls her child. Busy in her handsome house

Known as Space, she falls a-drowse; Yet, in seeming, works on dreaming, While beneath her groping hands Fiends make havoc in her bands.

How her hussif'ry succeeds She unknows or she unheeds, All things making for Death's taking! — So the green-gowned faeries say

Living over Blackmoor way. Come then, brethren, let us sing, From the dawn till evening! - For we know not that we go not

When the day's pale pinions fold Unto those who sang of old.

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THE BULLFINCHES · Thomas Hardy · Poetry Cove