University of Virginia Library


8

FEBRUARY

February, bitter February,
Month of hope withheld and promise vain,
Drenching, under fickle smiles, the unwary
Earth with devastating rain.
Ere the limes with ruddy spear-points glimmer,
Ere the greenness leap from bush to bush,
While the starveling grass grows dim and dimmer,
And the folded snowdrops push;
Ah! be gracious, tenderly relenting,
Take not back thy gifts with churlish hand:
Let the breath of thy serene consenting
Falter through the weary land.

9

Rather thunder on in bleak resistance,
Swift to spoil and rigorous to deny,
Than as thus to veil the sullen distance
With thy bleared and tear-stained sky.