WINTER'S COMING.
Winter’s coming! Winter's coming!
Don't you hear him drawing nigh?
Hark! The northwest winds, his chariot,
Hear them sweeping through the sky,
Whistling gaily, calling loudly,
"Winter's coming, coming near;
Snowflake crown and icy scepter
I have formed that he may wear."
Long ago, the flowers, listening,
Heard the rumbling of his car;
Tenderly they dropped their-petals
On the brown earth, cold and bare,
Whispering softly, "Winter's coming,
We will hide us out of sight;
Ha! He thinks to overtake us,
He will find us gone tonight."
Long ago, gay Robin Redbreast,
Swallow, Thrush, and all their train,
Plumed their wings and sang their sweetest,
Sang, "Good-by, we'll come again."
In the woods where nuts were dropping,
Squirrels hoarded up their store,
Dainty ferns flung out their banners,
Waved good-by, and were no more.
And now the winter's coming, coming,
Snowflakes whirling through the sky;
Stir the fire and draw the curtain, .
We'll not heed his passing by.
Many a pleasant thought he brings us,
Warmth, and glow, and Christmas cheer;
We'll not spurn him from our pleasures,
But welcome in his glad New Year.
Kate.