The lakes of ice gleam bluer than the lakes br Of water 'neath the summer sunshine gleamed: br Far fairer than when placidly it streamed, br The brook its frozen architecture makes, br And under bridges white its swift way takes. br Snow comes and goes as messenger who dreamed br Might linger on the road; or one who deemed br His message hostile gently for their sakes br Who listened might reveal it by degrees. br We gird against the cold of winter wind br Our loins now with mighty bands of sleep, br In longest, darkest nights take rest and ease, br And every shortening day, as shadows creep br O'er the brief noontide, fresh surprises find.