And coldly spreads the couch of snow,

And harshly sounds thy lullaby.

Forests of heather, dark and long,

Wave their brown branching arms above;

And they must soothe thee with their song,

And they must shield my child of love.

Alas! the flakes are heavily falling,

They cover fast each guardian crest;

And chilly white their shroud is palling

Thy frozen limbs and freezing breast.