Moon there was none—and every star seemed awed,
And shrinking, trembled like a frighted child!
Through all the woods the dreary snow was piled,
Or like a shroud it lay, the ridgéd fold
Showing the shape beneath—above, beguiled
By Sorrow, swayed the pines; through wood and wold
The wild winds to and fro went sighing unconsoled.
A cabin stood upon the wooded slope—
From many a crevice fitful firelight streamed,
Making the blackness denser, like the hope