  Already Winter in his sombre round, Before his time hath touched these hills austere With lonely flame. Last night, without a sound, The ghostly frost walked out by wood and mere. And now the sumach curls his frond of fire, The aspen-tree reluctant drops his gold, And down the gullies the North’s wild vibrant lyre Rouses the bitter armies of the cold. O’er this short afternoon the night draws down, With ominous chill, across these regions bleak; Wind-beaten gold, the sunset fades around The purple loneliness of crag and peak, Leaving the world an iron house wherein Nor love nor life nor hope hath ever been. |
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