The Problem by Thomas Hardy Lyrics

    Shall we conceal the Case, or tell it -
        We who believe the evidence?
    Here and there the watch-towers knell it
        With a sullen significance,
Heard of the few who hearken intently and carry an eagerly upstrained
sense.

    Hearts that are happiest hold not by it;
        Better we let, then, the old view reign;
    Since there is peace in it, why decry it?
        Since there is comfort, why disdain?
Note not the pigment the while that the painting determines
humanity's joy and pain!