A Winter Scene

The rabbit leaps,

The mouse out-creeps,

The flag out-peeps

Beside the brook;

The ferret weeps,

The marmot sleeps,

The owlet keeps

In his snug nook.

The apples thaw,

The ravens caw,

The squirrels gnaw

The frozen fruit.

To their retreat

I track the feet

Of mice that eat

The apple’s root.

The snow-dust falls,

The otter crawls,

The partridge calls,

Far in the wood.

The traveler dreams,

The tree-ice gleams,

The blue jay screams

In angry mood.

The willows droop,

The alders stoop,

The pheasants group

Beneath the snow.

The catkins green

Cast o’er the scene