Winter in Durnover Field by Thomas Hardy

SCENE. -A wide stretch of fallow ground recently sown with wheat, and / frozen to iron hardness. Three large birds walking about thereon, and / wistfully eyeing the surface. Wind keen from north-east: sky a dull / grey.

(TRIOLET)

_Rook_. -Throughout the field I find no grain; / The cruel frost encrusts the cornland! / _Starling_. -Aye: patient pecking now is vain / Throughout the field, I find. / _Rook_. -No grain! / _Pigeon_. -Nor will be, comrade, till it rain, / Or genial thawings loose the lorn land / Throughout the field. / _Rook_. -I find no grain: / The cruel frost encrusts the cornland!