. Lastly, came Winter clothed all in frieze, 

 Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill ; 

 Whilst on his hoary beard his breath did freeze, 

 And the dull drops, that from his purpled bill 

 As from a limbeck did adown distil : 

 In his right hand a tipped staff he held, 

 With which his feeble steps he stayed still ; 

 For he was faint with cold, and weak with eld ; 



That scarce his loosed limbs he able was to wield. 



SPENSER, The Faerie Queene, Canto vi. 

 (Of Mutability). 



You naked trees, whose shady leaves are lost, 

 Wherein the birds were wont to build their bower, 

 And now are clothedt with moss and hoary frost, 

 Instead of blossoms, wherewith your buds did flower ; 

 I see your tears that from your boughs do rain, 

 Whjosc dropn in dreary icicles remain. 



SPSNSER, The Shepherd's Calendar^ 

 Eclogue I. 



