Jack Frost looked forth one still, clear night, And whispered, "Now I shall be out of sight; So, through the valley and over the height,In silence I"ll take my way.
I will not go on like that blustering train-
The wind and the snow, the hail and the rain- Who make so much bustle and noise in vain;But I"ll be as busy as they."
Then he flew to the mountain and powdered its crest; He lit on the trees and their boughs he dressedWith diamond beads; and, over the breast Of the quivering lake, he spreadA coat of mail, that it need not fear The downward point of many a spearThat he hung on its margin, far and near, Where a rock could rear its head.
He went to the windows of those who slept, And over each pane, like a fairy, crept; Wherever he breathed, wherever he stepped,By the light of the morn were seen
Most beautiful things: there were flowers and trees, There were bevies of birds and swarms of bees, There were cities and temples and towers, and theseAll pictured in silver sheen.
But he did one thing that was hardly fair: He went to the cupboard, and, finding there That all had forgotten for him to prepare,Now just to set them a-thinking, "I"ll bite this basket of fruit," said he; "This costly pitcher I"ll burst in three;And the glass of water they"ve left for me Shall tchick! to tell them I"m drinking."-Hannah Flagg Gould
Author.-Hannah Flagg Gould (1789-1865) was an American poetess. Pronounce the name goold.
General Notes.-What time of the year was it? How did Jack Frost treat the mountain, the boughs of the tree, the lake, the windows, the fruit, the pitcher? Have you ever seen frost- flowers? Describe them. What is frost?
