But nought care we, though o'er the wold The winter lays his finger cold; We still enjoy the roughest day, And find December good as May. Pile up the fire! the wandering wind, And dark midwinter days can bring If not the flow'ret budding fair, And mild effulgence of the air, Pile up the fire! When storms are rude, We feel the joy of gratitude; Have welcomes for the poorest guest. The gloomy Winter-who is he? I never saw him on the lea, I never met him on my path, Or trow'd old stories of his wrath. The Winter is a friend of mine, He carols like the lark in corn. His tread is brisk upon the snows— He hath a smile upon his lips, With songs and welcome, jests and quips. A charitable soul is he, His heart is large, his hand is free; And feeds the needy from his store. The friend of every living thing, Old Winter-sire of youthful Spring- Are glories when we know them well. 'Tis he that feeds the April buds, 'Tis he that clothes the Summer woods; 'Tis he makes plump the Autumn grain, And loads with wealth the creaking wain. Pile up the fire! and ere he go, Our blessings on his head shall flow. The hale old Winter, bleak and sere, The friend and father of the year. N XV. THE POPLAR LEAVES. I. On the topmost twig where the winds blow free, There were three leaves on the poplar tree, Lonely! Lonely! The summer had gone, and left them there, Lonely! Lonely! Down by the fateful breezes whirled, On the cold earth crisp and curled, Amid the grass by the night-dews sodden, All their old companions lay ;— Alas for the glory past away And the strength down trodden! |