Snow.
Last night the snow was falling,1
It fell throughout the night,2
I woke this morning, mother,3
And saw the ground was white.4
White were the peaceful meadows,5
And white the tall, dark pines ;6
And white was yonder mountain,7
On which the sun first shines.8
And in our own dear valley9
The snow was lying deep ;10
And in the quiet churchyard11
Where my little sisters sleep.12
And o’er their little tombstones13
The snow-flakes form’d a wreath ;14
But nought are flowers or snow-flakes15
To those who sleep beneath.16
We deck’d the graves last summer17
With many a primrose gem ;18
But whether flowers or snow-flakes19
It matters not to them.20
But, oh ! the snow is lovely,21
So beautiful and bright ;22
Pure as the little spirits23
Who wear their robes as white.24
But in our valley, mother,25
The footsteps come and go ;26
And then how soon they sully27
The pure new-fallen snow.28
The trace of earth is on it,29
On earth all soiled it lies ;30
How soon it lost the beauty31
It brought from yonder skies.32
My child, on yonder mountain33
The snow lies pure and high ;34
No foot of man invades it,35
It is so near the sky.36
It sinks not to the valley,37
Where earth’s dark traces are,38
And nought can soil its whiteness :39
’Twas kept from falling far.40
Wouldst thou be pure and holy,41
Remember, O my child !42
That an earth-seeking nature43
Must be by earth defiled.44
Then let thy childish spirit45
Stoop not to things below ;46
Live in the light of Heaven,47
Like yon pure mountain snow.48