I br br The air is silent save where stirs br A bugling breeze among the firs; br The virgin world in white array br Waits for the bridegroom kiss of day; br All heaven blooms rarely in the east br Where skies are silvery and fleeced, br And o'er the orient hills made glad br The morning comes in wonder clad; br Oh, 'tis a time most fit to see br How beautiful the dawn can be! br br br II br br Wide, sparkling fields snow-vestured lie br Beneath a blue, unshadowed sky; br A glistening splendor crowns the woods br And bosky, whistling solitudes; br In hemlock glen and reedy mere br The tang of frost is sharp and clear; br Life hath a jollity and zest, br A poignancy made manifest; br Laughter and courage have their way br At noontide of a winter's day. br br br III br br Faint music rings in wold and dell, br The tinkling of a distant bell, br Where homestead lights with friendly glow br Glimmer across the drifted snow; br Beyond a valley dim and far br Lit by an occidental star, br Tall pines the marge of day beset br Like many a slender minaret, br Whence priest-like winds on crystal air br Summon the reverent world to prayer.