Thomas Hardy - The Echo Elf Answers lyrics

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.”