Mist-shrouded priests do ancient rites;

The black ram's fleece is stained with blood,

That steams, dull red on the frozen ground;

And pale votaries shiver with the cold,

That numbs the earth, and etches patterned mirrors on the ponds.

[!-- H2 anchor --]

"WHAN THAT APRILLE ..."

Is it the song of a meadow lark

Off the brown, sere salt marshes,