FEBRUARY.
The snow has left the cottage roof;
The thatch-moss grows in brighter green;
And eaves in quick succession drop,
Where grinning icicles have been,
Pit-patting with a pleasant noise
In tubs set by the cottage door;
While ducks and geese with happy joys
Plunge in the yard-pond brimming o'er.
The small birds think their wants are o'er
To see the snow hills fret again,
And from the barn's chaff-littered door
Betake them to the greening plain.
The woodman's robin startles coy,
No longer to his elbow comes
To peck, with hunger's eager joy,
'Mong mossy stumps the littered crumbs.