("In the Spring a young man's fancy ...")

At it, old warrior! do your worst!

Here's Fevrier coming, moist and blowy,

And any trench you leave for him

Not saturated to the brim

He will accommodate its thirst

As in the days of Noë.

But we, well-armed in every pore

Against the tricks you mean to try on,

Will stick it out through slush and slime,