I.—WINTER-MORN IN THE COUNTRY.

The Sabbath of all Nature! Stillness reigns For snow has fallen, and all the land is white. The cottage-roofs slant grey against the light, And grey the sky, nor cloud nor blue obtains. The sun is moonlike, as a maiden feigns To veil her beauty, yet sends glances bright That fill the eye, and make the heart delight, Expectant of some wonder. Lengthened trains Of birds wing high, and straight the smoke ascends. All things are fairy-like: the trees empearled With frosty gem-work, like to trees in dream. Beneath the weight the slender cedar bends And looks more ghost-like! 'Tis a wonder-world, Wherein, indeed, things are not as they seem.