All the New England poets felt the charm of falling snow, and several have written on the theme. In connection with this poem read Emerson's "Snow-Storm" and Whittier's "The Frost Spirit." The best known of all is Whittier's "Snow-Bound "; the first hundred and fifty lines may well be read here.
9. living swarm: like a swarm of bees from the hidden chambers of the hive.
12. prone: straight down.
17. snow-stars: what are the shapes of snowflakes
20. Milky way: the white path which seems to lead acre. The sky at night and which is composed of millions of stars.
21. burlier: larger and stronger.
35. myriads: vast, indefinite number.
37. middle: as the cloud seems to be between us and the blue sky, so the snowflakes before they fell occupied a middle position.
ROBERT of LINCOLN
"Robert of Lincoln" is the happiest, merriest poem written by Bryant. It is characteristic of the man that it should deal with a nature topic. In what ways does he secure the merriment?