Classic Poem

Swift against snow and tempest through the night
Our iron steed is rushing: dim and drear
The darkness broods on barren crag and mere;
The frozen river, wrapped in ghastly white,
Creeps to the frozen lake, a glimmering light
Half seen through blasted trunks and branches sere;
Here winter holds his horrid court, and here,
Enthroned, he reigns in undisputed might.

The fiery monster bellows as he flies,
And rock and forest roar their loudest back:
The whirling snow-cloud hisses on his track,
Then sinks in silence; while beyond their ken
The noisy stranger bears its load of men
And all their thoughts, — and all their memories.