SONG OF THE CHILDREN ABOUT SPRING. 133 



Sweeps on once again till the creaking wail 



Out from the ice-coated woods tells the tale, 

 How the old fellow is lording in state. 



Again her kiss thaws through his frosty mail, 

 Again she strews flowers where he had strewn hail. 

 Till routed and scouted 

 While all the earth shouted, 

 In a terrible fright 

 The old fellow takes flight, 

 Clang ! clanging away on his sleety wings, 

 Nor dares he to alight 

 Till he comes where long night 

 Her sable curtain o'er dreary land flings. 



