The wind howl'd down the lin;

A wee hand tapp'd upon the door,

"O mother, let me in."

Up sprung the father to his feet,

And many a cross sign'd he,

With:—"Angels defend us from thee, child,

And from the like of thee."

"O cold, cold is the winter snow,

That drifts adown the steep,

But colder far this clammy shroud