Page:May-day and other pieces, Emerson, 1867.djvu/132

120 Tugs at the heart-strings, numbs the sense,

And hems in life with narrowing fence.

Well, in this broad bed lie and sleep,

The punctual stars will vigil keep,

Embalmed by purifying cold,

The winds shall sing their dead-march old,

The snow is no ignoble shroud,

The moon thy mourner, and the cloud.

Softly,—but this way fate was pointing,

'T was coming fast to such anointing,

When piped a tiny voice hard by,

Gay and polite, a cheerful cry,

Chic-chicadeedee! saucy note

Out of sound heart and merry throat,

As if it said, 'Good day, good sir!

Fine afternoon, old passenger!

Happy to meet you in these places,

Where January brings few faces.'