47. The desolate and dying year,

Yet lovely in its lifelessness,

As beauty stretch'd upon the bier,

In death's clay-cold and dark caress;

There's loveliness in its decay,

Which breathes, which lingers on it still.

J. G. Brooks.

48. Pale, rugged Winter, bending o'er his tread,

His grizzled hair bedropt with icy dew;

His eyes a dusky light, congeal'd and dead,