Poems (Henderson)/Coasting

by Elizabeth Henderson

COASTING.

The drifted snow lay heavily,
 Upon the frozen hills,
And all the travelled spaces,
 Between the fences filled.
A thousand jewels glittering hung,
 From branch of fir and pine,
A thousand gems of brilliant flashed,
 Far o'er the frozen rime.

And all the boys with rustic sleds,
 Upon the hilltop stood,
Each singled out his little mate,
 And close beside her stood.
But one stood far apart, and held,
 His head down and began,
To parley with an elder boy,
 Who thought himself a man.

"I gave you top, and kite, and ball,
 My marbles and my slate,
Nor murmured, you can have them all,
 But not my little Kate."
The little maiden raised her eyes,
 To his with timid look.
Now said the elder, "I will give,
 Your playthings and my book."

"But Kate shall ride with me to day,
 Because she likes me best,"
The little head bent down, and tears,
 Fell on the ragged vest.

******

Ten summers filled with spicy bloom,
 Ten winters with their snows,
Have past and all the perfumed air,
 Floats, burdened with the flowers,
And little Kate has taller grown,
 And at her cottage door,
There stands a prancing team of bays,
 And he who claimed her years before,
Pleads with a lover's-earnest tone,
 For her sweet lips to bless,
Her bridal vow, for holds she not,
 His lifetime's happiness?

"Oh! wealth is strong, and woman weak,
 Proud Kate replied, but I,
Will have first, love and honest worth,
 And true heart's chivalry."
A tall form through the open door,
 Passed, and her proud cheek flushed,
Her eyes met his, and o'er his brow,
 Then flits a manly blush.

At his proud rival standing there,
 Who offered wealth and fame,
And he no heritage could bring,
 Save love and spotless name.
She turned her proud face to his own,
 He clasped her to his breast,
"Now Kate will ride with me to day,
 Because she loves me best."