 | Jane and Ann Taylor: Original Poems for Infant Minds |  |
131
DECEMBER NIGHT.
Dark and dismal is the night,
Beating rain, and wind so high!
Close the window-shutters tight,
And the cheerful fire draw nigh.
Beating rain, and wind so high!
Close the window-shutters tight,
And the cheerful fire draw nigh.
Hear the blast in dreadful chorus,
Roaring through the naked trees,
Just like thunder bursting o'er us;
Now they murmur, now they cease.
Roaring through the naked trees,
Just like thunder bursting o'er us;
Now they murmur, now they cease.
Think how many on the wild
Wander in this dreadful weather:
Some poor mother with her child,
Scarce can keep her rags together.
Wander in this dreadful weather:
Some poor mother with her child,
Scarce can keep her rags together.
Or a wretched family
'Neath some mud-wall'd ruined shed
Shrugging close together, lie
On the earth—their only bed.
'Neath some mud-wall'd ruined shed
Shrugging close together, lie
On the earth—their only bed.
132
While we sit within so warm,
Sheltered, comfortable, safe,
Think how many bide the storm,
Who no home nor shelter have.
Sheltered, comfortable, safe,
Think how many bide the storm,
Who no home nor shelter have.
Glad, these sorrows could we lighten,
We who suffer no such woe;
Let, at least, contentment brighten
Every tranquil hour we know.
We who suffer no such woe;
Let, at least, contentment brighten
Every tranquil hour we know.
| Jane and Ann Taylor: Original Poems for Infant Minds | |