[The Farm Hand's Ghost:] 'My kin and I had laboured hard To reap the yearly harvest. Lain weary on our gathered sheaves we Cracked a vat of ale. Poured a toast; Began to boast of who could sup the hardest. Slumped in drunken slumber At the height of wild wassail....
I woke to find my brothers gone That Autumn eve so balmy. Yet gazed in wide-eyed terror To the barley fields nearby. Struck dumb I swore; Stood before a mighty woad-duabed army. Believed my wits deceived me 'til I heard their battle-cry.'
[The Lord Of The Trees:] 'Smash the axe and sow the seed; Don't cause the Oaken Heart to bleed!'
[The Farm Hands Ghost:] 'When he that led this heathen horde Cast-off his ivy mantle; Cohorts raised honed halberds Flying pennants of leaf-green. From below approached the foe; A fierce scythe-bearing hantle. Captains sat triumphant Upon coughing, steel machines.'
[The Forces Of Progress:] 'Break the bough and strip all of it. Fell this forest, make a profit!'
[The Farm Hands Ghost:] 'Opposing forces clashed Beneath a red sky cracked by thunder. Entrenched beneath the hedge-row I'd observed it quite unseen. One side stood to save the wood: T'other planned it's plunder, I chose to fight for Nature's right; Grabbed a fallen skean.
All who would one flower destroy, Must first cut down this Didycoy!
We fought until the last that day To gain a hard-won victory, Sucked in by the thirsty earth I watched my life-blood ebb. Though I died at least I'd tried to play some part in history; A momentary trembling On the threads of Wyrd's web.'
[The Lord Of The Trees:] 'Are there more so brave and honest; Who would die to save my forest?'