On, on through the snow and the night.

Then all of a sudden he halted

In front of a house old and dark.

There was no friendly ray at the window,

And on the hearth-stone not a spark.

But he entered, and, by a dim lantern

That swung from his new scarlet cap,

I saw the sad face of a woman

Asleep, and a babe on her lap.

And two pretty faces beside her,