HOW roars this wintry tempest, fierce and loud,
Borne from far passes of the ice-locked hills!
How raves this desolate rain, whose tumult fills
The whole dark heaven up-piled with cloud on cloud;
While yonder quivering pine-trees, drenched and bowed,
Blend their strange moaning with the noise of rills,
And one swift stream, whose angry clarion shrills,
Piercing the mists which o’er it cling and crowd!
Roar, mighty wind! rave on, thou merciless rain!
Uproot, and madly ravage–whilst ye may;
Your furious voices smite mine ears in vain,
For, housed and warmed by this bright fireside cheer,–
Safe as on some calm springtide’s calmest day,
I mock your ire, nor heed your wild despair.
(Paul Hamilton Hayne)
More Poetry from Paul Hamilton Hayne:
- Antonio Melidori (Paul Hamilton Hayne Poems)
- Daphles. An Argive Story (Paul Hamilton Hayne Poems)
- The Mountain Of The Lovers (Paul Hamilton Hayne Poems)
- Songs Of The Imprisoned Naiad (Paul Hamilton Hayne Poems)
- Widderin's Race. Australian. (Paul Hamilton Hayne Poems)
- Ode II (Paul Hamilton Hayne Poems)