A WINTER NIGHT

by: John Hay (1838-1905)

HE winter wind is raving fierce and shrill

And chides with angry moan the frosty skies,

The white stars gaze with sleepless Gorgon eyes

That freeze the earth in terror fixed and still.

We reck not of the wild night's gloom and chill,

Housed from its rage, dear friend; and fancy flies,

Lured by the hand of beckoning memories,

Back to those summer evenings on the hill

Where we together watched the sun go down

Beyond the gold-washed uplands, while his fires

Touched into glittering life the vanes and spires

Piercing the purpling mists that veiled the town.

The wintry night thy voice and eyes beguile,

Till wake the sleeping summers in thy smile.

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