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Poem
December 6, 1866
Virginia Free Press
Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
The poem personifies Winter as a harsh invader who spares the rich but strikes down the poor, urging the wealthy to provide charity to the needy at home rather than distant pagan lands, framed as a divine mission.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE COMING OF WINTER.
He comes! the Winter comes!
I hear his footsteps through the nights!
I hear his vanguard on the heights
March thro' the pines with muffled drum!
His naked feet are on the mead:
The grass blades stiffen in his path,
No tear for child of earth he hath!
No pity for the tender seed!
The bare oaks shudder at his breath!
A moment by the streams he stays—
Its melody is mute! A glaze
Creeps o'er its dimples, as of death!
From fettered stream and blackened moor
The city walls he silent nears:
The mansions of the rich he fears!
He storms the cabins of the poor!
The curtained couch, the glowing hearth,
The frost rimmed greybeard's power defy!
He curses as he hurries by
And strikes the beggar dead to earth!
For every gloaming ball he spares,
A hundred heartless hovels hold
Hearts pulseless, crisp with ice and cold,
Watched by a hundred grim despairs!
Here is your mission! Ye who feed
Your lavish fires! Not afar
But at your doors your heathen are!
God's Poor—your creditors! Take heed!
The path is long to Pagan shores!
Their skies are sunny—God o'er all!
The winter's deadly harvest fall
Around you! Deal your Master's stores!
He comes! the Winter comes!
I hear his footsteps through the nights!
I hear his vanguard on the heights
March thro' the pines with muffled drum!
His naked feet are on the mead:
The grass blades stiffen in his path,
No tear for child of earth he hath!
No pity for the tender seed!
The bare oaks shudder at his breath!
A moment by the streams he stays—
Its melody is mute! A glaze
Creeps o'er its dimples, as of death!
From fettered stream and blackened moor
The city walls he silent nears:
The mansions of the rich he fears!
He storms the cabins of the poor!
The curtained couch, the glowing hearth,
The frost rimmed greybeard's power defy!
He curses as he hurries by
And strikes the beggar dead to earth!
For every gloaming ball he spares,
A hundred heartless hovels hold
Hearts pulseless, crisp with ice and cold,
Watched by a hundred grim despairs!
Here is your mission! Ye who feed
Your lavish fires! Not afar
But at your doors your heathen are!
God's Poor—your creditors! Take heed!
The path is long to Pagan shores!
Their skies are sunny—God o'er all!
The winter's deadly harvest fall
Around you! Deal your Master's stores!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Winter Coming
Poverty Poor
Charity Mission
Rich Lavish
Heathen Doors
Gods Poor
Poem Details
Title
The Coming Of Winter.
Key Lines
He Comes! The Winter Comes!
I Hear His Footsteps Through The Nights!
Here Is Your Mission! Ye Who Feed
Your Lavish Fires! Not Afar
But At Your Doors Your Heathen Are!
God's Poor—Your Creditors! Take Heed!