Thel is a young shepherdess living in the Vales of Har. She separates from her flocks to sit by the river, experiencing profound anxiety over the fleeting nature of life and sensory experiences. She views herself as entirely useless to the natural order, fearing her only ultimate purpose is to become food for earthworms.

Lilly is an anthropomorphized lily of the valley who takes the form of a small human figure. She identifies as a lowly, weak watery weed but maintains a joyful disposition because she feels blessed by God. She spends her brief life providing nourishment, scent, and purification for the lambs and cows in her environment.

Cloud is a golden-headed, masculine figure representing an archetype of the lover. He finds purpose in his own transience, viewing his physical dissipation not as a tragic end but as a positive, generative transformation. He eagerly anticipates descending to join with the morning dew so they can feed the earth's flowers together.

The Clod of Clay is a matronly figure made of the lowest earthly dirt. She acts as a mother to the helpless creatures of the earth, demonstrating that even cold, dark elements have a nurturing purpose. She embraces her existence and provides care without needing to understand the complex metaphysics of divine love.

The Worm is a helpless, wordless creature that appears to the shepherdess as a naked, weeping infant. It serves as a living embodiment of the earthly decay that terrifies the protagonist. Unable to speak or defend itself, the creature relies entirely on the nurturing environment of the earth for survival.

Mne. Seraphim is an angelic, maternal figure who resides in the pastoral Vales of Har. As a seraph, she represents the highest order of the celestial hierarchy, providing a divine origin for the young women who tend sheep in the valley.