III. FIRELIGHT

Against the curtained casement wind and sleet

Rattle and thresh, while snug by our own fire

In dear companionship that naught may tire

We sit — you listening, sewing in your seat

Half-dreaming in the glow of light and heat,

I reading some old tale of love's desire

That swept on gold wings to disaster dire

Then rose re-orient from black defeat.

I close the book, and louder yet the storm

Threshes without. Your busy hands are still;

And on your face and hair the light is warm,

As we sit gazing on the coals’ red gleam

In a gold glow of happiness, and dream

Diviner dreams the years shall yet fulfil.