I.
It was a clear, cold, winter night,
The heavens all brightly starred,
Where on Mount Bernard’s snowy height
The good monks kept their guard.
And round their hearth, that night, they told
To one who shelter craved,
How the brave dog, he thought so old,
Full forty lives had saved;
When, suddenly, with kindling eye,
Up sprang the old dog there,
As from afar a child’s shrill cry
Rung through the frosty air.
In haste the monks unbarred the door,
Rugs round the mastiffs threw;
And as they bounded forth once more,
Called, “Blessings be with you!”