Of smiling sisters, clasping hand in hand?
Dearer to me than all their visions fair
This chill December night, so thou wert there.
And hast thou sought with them some better land?
Would heaven be darkened for one form the less
From the bright throng who in His love rejoice?
From the celestial choir could not one voice,
Sweeter than all the rest, be spared to bless
My solitude? Say, dost thou sleep alone,
Voiceless, beneath the unrelenting stone?