WELCOME TO THE FIRST FIRE.

he north wind is sighing, The daylight is dying, The sun has gone down, and the night shadows fall; But see, lightly dancing, And peeping, and glancing, The firelight is climbing our nursery wall. Then greet this new-comer Who left us all summer, To hide in old cinders while weather was warm; Yet must have been near us, For now, just to cheer us, He comes back at once with the winter and storm. Oh, ruddy flames leaping, Say, where were you sleeping? In some land of faery where fires never die, And wind always freezes? Or heard you the breezes That fanned our sweet roses through June and July? 'Twas spring when we parted— You smouldered down-hearted; The lilacs were out, and we told you to go: But knew, when November Had come, you'd remember To cheer us again with your warmth and your glow.