STANZAS:

TO A FRIEND, WHO COMPLAINED OF WINTER AS A SEASON OF ENDURANCE.

———

BY A. D. WILLIAMS.

———

What if the snowy drapery

Of winter clothe the earth,

And rude “north-westers” chase thee

To the quiet fireside hearth?

And if the sportive wildness

Of others please thee not;

If summer’s balmy mildness

Comes not from grove or grot?

If in the narrowed towers

Of granite walls and gray,

Thy spirit mourns the flowers,

Through all the live-long day?

The muses still are beaming

Their radiance on thy way;

With light and beauty gleaming—

Dread shadows flit away.

And Art the breast is filling

With generous impulse, free;

The Poet’s lyre is thrilling

The soul with melody.

The student’s vigil proffers

The hope-lit spirit’s aim;

And honored duty offers

What truth and virtue claim.

And friendship true is smiling

In confidence and joy,

The lonely hours beguiling.

With sweet and loved employ.

Nor think that oft it fadeth,

On earth’s cold chilling stream,

Through many a heart pervadeth,

More than a “poet’s dream!”

And should thy soul be weary

Of mundane joys and ill,

Yet think not winter dreary,

For heaven the soul can thrill.

Bright, strong-winged Hope is pointing

In gladness to the skies,

And Faith, with Heaven’s anointing,

Bids brighter visions rise.

Then, call not winter dreary,

Sigh not for summer’s joy,

Nor let thy soul be weary

With dutiful employ.