And long before the icy dawn, while hush’d all nature lies,
And weird and wan the white lights flash across the northern skies;
Thy place, as in past days thou’lt take, the leader of the train,
To steer until the stars die out above the dusky plain;
Then on, thro’ space by wood and hill, until the wintry day
In pale gleams o’er the snow-capped ridge has worn itself away,
And twilight bids us seek the brake, where midst the pines once more
The fire will gleam before us, the stars will glimmer o’er.
There stretch’d upon the snow-drift, before the pine log’s glare,
Thy master’s couch and supper with welcome thou wilt share,