LOAN STACK

LEPARON TO PAVOLA.

Four chairs around the hearth; one tenantless : Three friends, where four for many years had met ; Three chairs filled by these three: that other void,

At least to outward sense; and where was he Whose form in other years had filled the fourth?

A roaring fire of logs high in the grate,

A table set with glass and spirit flask,
And store of weed narcotic; from the hob

A comfortable sound of hissing steam :

And three sit down where four were wont to meet. To-night no voice a double and two up;'

B

For who could take the hand that he should hold?

No spectre-partner fills that empty seat!

Without, a white pall on the frozen ground,
A bitter, cutting night! A sound of woe

Sweeps through the bared boughs of the walnut trees,
That stand like mutes before a house of death ;
Mourners to-night for some sweet innocent,

Not black their scarfs and bands, but virgin white!

Beyond, the river silver'd o'er with ice,

Unsafe as yet for eager boys and girls;

Yet farther, meadows bathed in winter flood,
And through the land the wholesome reign of frost.
Bright shines each star in heaven to-night; o'er all
The moon in icy splendour rides a queen!

The muffled bells are ringing out the year:
The old year-only one year old-is doomed!
Ah! changeful bells, but yesternight, it seems,
You welcomed him with joy, as in one hour