Classic Poem

Lightly , Alpine rover,
Tread the mountains over;
Rude is the path thou 'st yet to go;
Snow cliffs hanging o'er thee,
Fields of ice before thee.
While the hid torrent moans below.
Hark, the deep thunder,
Thro' the vales yonder!
'T is the huge avalanche downward cast;
From rock to rock
Rebounds the shock.
But courage, boy! the danger 's past.
Onward, youthful rover,
Tread the glacier over,
Safe shalt thou reach thy home at last.
On, ere light forsake thee,
Soon will dusk o'ertake thee:
O'er yon ice-bridge lies thy way!
Now, for the risk prepare thee;
Safe it yet may bear thee,
Tho' 't will melt in morning's ray.

Hark, that dread howling!
'T is the wolf prowling,—
Scent of thy track the foe hath got;
And cliff and shore
Resound his roar.
But courage, boy,—the danger's past!
Watching eyes have found thee,
Loving arms are round thee,
Safe hast thou reached thy father's cot.