14 January. 
Then came the Spring’s capricious smile, 
And Rummer sunlight warmed the air, 
And Autumn’s riches served a while 
To hide the curse that lingered there ; 
Till o’er the once untroubled sky 
Quick driven clouds began to fly, 
And moaning zephyrs ceased to sigh, 
When Winter's storms in fury burst 
Upon a world indeed accurst. 
And when, at last, the driving snow— 
A strange, ill-omened sight— 
Came whitening all the plains below, 
To trembling Eve it seemed—affright 
With shivering cold and terror bowed,— 
As if each fleecy vapour cloud 
Were falling as a snowy shroud, 
To form a close enwrapping pall 
For Earth’s untimeous funeral. 
Then all her faith and gladness fled, 
And, nothing left but blank despair, 
Eve madly wished she had been dead, 
Or never born a pilgrim there ; 
But as she wept, an angel bent 
His way adown the firmament, 
And on a task of mercy sent 
He raised her up, and bade her cheer 
Her drooping heart, and banish fear : 
