Classic Poem

When I, with storm of snow and sleet
And wind loud-howling reign,
And pavements are icy in every street,
And rivers rebel in vain,
In the inter-spaces between the storms,
When the sky is cold and clear,
May these not want the fire that warms,
And the good old-fashioned cheer!
Nor the good old wishes become but forms,
" Merry Christmas " and " Happy New Year. "
For the Poet has said and sung
These words, that are wise and true,
" The Old need not envy the Young,
" The Old need not scorn the new;
" For hearts can be warm when days are cold,
" And the night may hallow the day,
" Till the heart, though at even-tide weary and old,
" May rise in the morning gay,
" To its work in the bright new day. "