Wessex Poems by Thomas Hardy - 36/48. In a Wood (read by Libby Gohn)

In a wood See the woodlanders Pale beech and pine-tree blue Set in one clay Bow to bow, cannot you Bide out your day? When the rains skim and skip Why mar, sweet comradeship, Lighting with poison-drip neighborly spray? Heart halt and spirit lame, City oppressed unto this wood I came As to a nest, dreaming that sylvan peace Offered the harrowed ease, nature A soft release from men's unrest. But having entered in Great growths and small Show them to men akin, combatants all. Sycamore shoulders oak Binds the slim sapling yoke Ivy-spun halters choke Elm stout and tall Touches from ash, oh witch, Sting like you scorn You too, brave hollies, twitch Sidelong from the thorn Even the rank poplars bear Ily a rival's heir Cankering in black despair, if overborne. Since then, no grace I find Taught me of trees. Turn I back to my kind, Worthy as these. There at least smiles abound, There discourse trills around, There, now and then, are found Life loyalties.