O Winter! frozen pulse and heart of fire, br What loss is theirs who from thy kingdom turn br Dismayed, and think thy snow a sculptured urn br Of death! Far sooner in midsummer tire br The streams than under ice. June could not hire br Her roses to forego the strength they learn br In sleeping on thy breast. No fires can burn br The bridges thou dost lay where men desire br In vain to build. br O Heart, when Love's sun goes br To northward, and the sounds of singing cease, br Keep warm by inner fires, and rest in peace. br Sleep on content, as sleeps the patient rose. br Walk boldly on the white untrodden snows, br The winter is the winter's own release.