SATURDAY
IN WINTER.
I.
Our tasks are all done, come away! come
away!
For a right merry time—for a Saturday
play.
See! the bright sun is shining right bravely on
high;
Make haste, or he’ll soon be half over the
sky.
Come! first with our sleds down the glassy hill
side,
And then on our skates o’er the river we’ll
glide.
II.
Now, Harry! sit firm on your sled—here
we go!
Swift—swift as an arrow let
fly from a bow!
Hurrah! downward rushing, how gayly we
speed,
Like an Arab away on his fleet-going steed.
Hurrah! bravely done! Down the icy
hill side,
Swift—swift as an arrow, again
let us glide.
III.
And now for the river! How smooth
and how bright, Like a mirror it sleeps in the flashing
sunlight. Be sure, brother Harry, to strap
your skates well; Last time you remember how heavy
you fell. Now away! swift away! why, Harry!
not down? Are you hurt? You must take
better care of your crown.
IV.
Up, up, my good brother! now steady! start
fair!
Away we go! swift through the keen, frosty
air.
Down again! Bless me, Harry! your
skates can’t be
right—
Just wait till I see—no—but
now they are tight.
Here we go again! merry as school-boys
can be,
From books, pens, and pencils, and black
board, set free.
V.
Tired, at last, of our sport, home to
dinner we run,
And find that, two hours ago, dinner was
done.
But our meat and potatoes we relish quite
well,
Though cold—and the reason
we scarcely need tell.
Five hours spent in scudding and skating,
I ween,
’Twould give to such lads as we,
appetites keen.
VI.
At last the dim twilight succeeds to the
day;
Our week’s work is ended, and ended
our play.
’Tis Saturday night, and we know
with the morn,
Another dear Sabbath of rest will be born.
O’er wearied, we sink into slumber
profound,
Assured that God’s angels are watching
around.
