Ryton Firs

How smooth and quick the year

Spins me the seasons round!

How many days have slid across my mind

Since we had snow pitying the frozen ground!

Then winter sunshine cheered

The bitter skies; the snow,

Reluctantly obeying lofty winds,

Drew off in shining clouds,

Wishing it still might love

With its white mercy the cold earth beneath.

But when the beautiful ground

Lights upward all the air,

Noon thaws the frozen eaves,

And makes the rime on post and paling steam

Silvery blue smoke in the golden day.

And soon from loaded trees in noiseless woods

The snows slip thudding down,

Scattering in their trail

Bright icy sparkles through the glittering air;

And the fir-branches, patiently bent so long,

Sigh as they lift themselves to rights again.

Then warm moist hours steal in,

Such as can draw the year's

First fragrance from the sap of cherry wood

Or from the leaves of budless violets;

And travellers in lanes

Catch the hot tawny smell

Reynard's damp fur left as he sneakt marauding