Woods in Winter

5O'er the bare upland, and away

6Through the long reach of desert woods,

7The embracing sunbeams chastely play,

8And gladden these deep solitudes.

9Where, twisted round the barren oak,

10The summer vine in beauty clung,

11And summer winds the stillness broke,

12The crystal icicle is hung.

13Where, from their frozen urns, mute springs

14Pour out the river's gradual tide,

15Shrilly the skater's iron rings,

16And voices fill the woodland side.

17Alas! how changed from the fair scene,

18When birds sang out their mellow lay,

19And winds were soft, and woods were green,

20And the song ceased not with the day!

21But still wild music is abroad,

22Pale, desert woods! within your crowd;

23And gathering winds, in hoarse accord,

24Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud.

25Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear

26Has grown familiar with your song;

27I hear it in the opening year,

28I listen, and it cheers me long.