A VISION OF THE SEASONS. (From the University Magazine.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume X, Issue 681, 6 January 1854, Page 3

A VISION OF THE SEASONS. (From the University Magazine.)

I heard a midnight knocking at my gatq, I ran to ope it, and with tender feet Treading the snow, with plaintive vooce and sweet, I found an infant visitor await, Pleading for entrance, ansli3 ever said, " Let me in, Lady ! The Old Year is dead 1" I let him in, snow-flakes and clinging rimo Thick on his scanty coats, and curling hair ; 1 brought him to my fireside bright and fair ; And standing in the glow some little time, I saw strange marvels, that I musi relate, In this strange midnight knooke? at my gate, Melted the snow, and fell upon the floor, And in the sparkling of its silvery devr, Snowdrops arose, and crocus gold and blue, Trembling at blasts that entered from the door ; Where the snow melted, were his garments seen, Scanty and slight, and of a tender green. And tQ the snowdrops other flowers succeed, Brighter in colour, and of perfume sweet, Clustering around the midnight stranger's feet, Now to a stately presence grown indeed. Meanwhile my fire sank low, but heat was there, Sweet genial heat, in perfume-laden air. Seemed my guest weary with heat, and stooped 'Neath the rich droppings of the gleaner's toil, Thick sheaves of corn, fair produce of t&e sofl* And purple clusters that from vineyards drooped, And apples, rosy-cheeked, and russet pears ; And golden plums, heaped round him unawares, Gazing amazed at this, a hail-storm beat. Loudly and wailing at my lattice paae •; It roused the fire, that bright upbl^zed again, And an old man was bending o'er tltfi heat, Spreading out trembling palms to catch the glow^ And from his mantle shaking flakes of snow. So I had seen a Vision of the Year, On this its threshold and its night of birtfo* Seen all its fair succession upon earth, And hailed each change-as right, and good, and dear j I had dreamed longer, save the church-bells brok^ My slumbers, and to New- Year's dawn I wpk s e.