Lesson:

1. The Frost looked forth one still, clear night,


And whispered, 'Now I shall be out of sight;


So through the valley and over the height


In silence I'll take my way;


I will not go on, like that blustering train,


The wind and the snow, the hail and the rain,


Who make so much bustle and noise in vain,


But I'll be as busy as they.'





2. Then he flew to the mountain, and powdered its crest;


He lit on the trees, and their boughs he dressed


In diamond beads; and over the breast


Of the quivering lake, he spread


A coat of mail, that it need not fear


The downward point of many a spear,


That he hung on its margin, far and near,


Where a rock could rear its head.





3. He went to the windows of those who slept,


And over each pane, like a fairy, crept;


Wherever he breathed, wherever he stepped,


By the light of the morn were seen


Most beautiful things; there were flowers and trees


There were bevies of birds, and swarms of bees;


There were cities with temples and towers, and these


All pictured in silver sheen.





4. But he did one thing that was hardly fair;


He peeped in the cupboard, and, finding there


That all had forgotten for him to prepare,


'Now just to set them a-thinking,


I'll bite this basket of fruit,' said he,


'This costly pitcher I'll burst in three;


And the glass of water they've left for me


Shall 'tchick!' to tell them I'm drinking.'





ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Hannah Flagg Gould was born at Lancaster, Vermont, in 1789. She published several volumes of poems (one for children) and one collection of prose articles, entitled 'Gathered Leaves.' She died in 1865.





DEFINITIONS


1. Blistering: Being noisy and loud.


1. Bustle: Stir.


2. Crest: The top.


2. Quivering: Trembling, shaking.


2. Margin: Edge, border.


3. Bevies: Flocks.


3. Pictured: Painted.


3. Sheen: Brightness, splendor of appearance.





EXERCISES


1. What did the frost say?


2. What did the frost do to the mountain?


3. What did the frost do to the trees?


4. What did the frost do to the lake?


5. What is a 'coat of mail?'


6. What did the frost do to the window?


7. What did the frost do to the pitcher?