Thomas Hardy

The Echo-Elf Answers

How much shall I love her?
For life, or not long?
‘Not long.’

Alas! When forget her?
In years, or by June?
‘By June.’

And whom woo I after?
No one, or a throng?
‘A throng.’

Of these shall I wed one
Long hence, or quite soon?
‘Quite soon.’

And which will my bride be?
The right or the wrong?
‘The wrong.’

And my remedy – what kind?
Wealth-wove, or earth-hewn?
‘Earth-hewn.’