Page:A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields.djvu/180

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winter's last reflections lie Upon the front of leafless woods, When still the north-east wind is high, Whistling and thundering, loth to die, And snows still sheet the solitudes;

Sudden a warm, warm breath is felt, That fills the soul with0 love and awe; Sudden one morn the vapours melt, And on the ice is seen a belt, A band, that ushers in the thaw.

Then to the sun the snows exhale, The soil gets soft and seems to heave; And Nature tries her marriage veil In secret, like a virgin pale While yet far off the wedding eve.

At first, unseen, the green blade peeps In furrows high-ridged, straight and long;