Poems (Acton)/The Snow-bound

THE SNOW-BOUND. ——

We were a merry party
 That ten long years ago
Look'd forth with jest and ringing laugh,
 Upon the falling snow.
Old Christmas, with his holly green,
 That summon'd us to see
How blithe he made the dying year,
 With feast and revelry.

Few cares had come upon us,
 In those our spring-time days,
And smiling glances met our own,
 Around the yule log's blaze;
No marvel that each tone was glad,
 And that each heart was light,
While deep the snow on hill and plain
 Lay with its mantle white.

And high rose glee and laughter,
 When days swept swiftly by,
And still the clouds of driving snow
 Fell from the wintry sky.
Right willing captives were we held
 Within that cheerful home,
Like ladies fair and knights of old,
 Beneath some fairy dome.

No foot could venture near us
 In that our charmèd bow'r;
And many were the mirthful plans
 To while away each hour;
And though a month had fleeted by,
 And snow-bound still were we,
We could not wish to break the chain
 Of our captivity.

But when at length the Snow King
 Did slowly loose his spell,
The friends so long that sojourned there
 Full sadly sighed, "Farewell."
And yearningly we took our way,
 On other scenes to gaze;
Yet ever stole our mem'ry back
 To those bright winter days.

That happy Christmas party,
 How scattered now are all
The friendly group whose cheerful smiles
 Lit up the pleasant hall!
Death, with his fatal dart, hath crept
 Within that circle gay;
And some whose hearts were lightest there,
 Since then have pass'd away.

But when the chimes of Christmas
 Steal sweetly on the ear,
And eager hands are gladly stretched
 To greet the coming year,
We think upon the merry time
 We pass'd so long ago,
With that joyous band in the country hall,
 Held captives by the snow.
H. A.