Poems (Acton)/The Snow-bound
THE SNOW-BOUND.
We were a merry party That ten long years agoLook'd forth with jest and ringing laugh, Upon the falling snow.Old Christmas, with his holly green, That summon'd us to seeHow blithe he made the dying year, With feast and revelry.
Few cares had come upon us, In those our spring-time days,And smiling glances met our own, Around the yule log's blaze;No marvel that each tone was glad, And that each heart was light,While deep the snow on hill and plain Lay with its mantle white.
And high rose glee and laughter, When days swept swiftly by,And still the clouds of driving snow Fell from the wintry sky. Right willing captives were we held Within that cheerful home,Like ladies fair and knights of old, Beneath some fairy dome.
No foot could venture near us In that our charmèd bow'r;And many were the mirthful plans To while away each hour;And though a month had fleeted by, And snow-bound still were we,We could not wish to break the chain Of our captivity.
But when at length the Snow King Did slowly loose his spell,The friends so long that sojourned there Full sadly sighed, "Farewell."And yearningly we took our way, On other scenes to gaze;Yet ever stole our mem'ry back To those bright winter days.
That happy Christmas party, How scattered now are allThe friendly group whose cheerful smiles Lit up the pleasant hall! Death, with his fatal dart, hath crept Within that circle gay;And some whose hearts were lightest there, Since then have pass'd away.
But when the chimes of Christmas Steal sweetly on the ear,And eager hands are gladly stretched To greet the coming year,We think upon the merry time We pass'd so long ago,With that joyous band in the country hall, Held captives by the snow.H. A.