10
In the sky alone,
A matchless, wonderful, silvery light,
Radiant and lovely, the Queen of the Night.

Said the Wind--"What a marvel of power am I!
With my breath, 15
Good faith!
I blew her to death--
First blew her away right out of the sky--
Then blew her in; what a strength am I!"

But the Moon she knew nothing about the affair,
For, high
In the sky, 5
With her one white eye,
Motionless, miles above the air,
She had never heard the great Wind blare.

JAMES T. FIELDS

AMERICA, 1817-1881

The Tempest

We were crowded in the cabin,
Not a soul would dare to sleep,-- 10
It was midnight on the waters,
And a storm was on the deep.

'Tis a fearful thing in winter
To be shattered in the blast,
And to hear the rattling trumpet
Thunder, "Cut away the mast!"

So we shuddered there in silence,--
For the stoutest held his breath,
While the hungry sea was roaring, 5
And the breakers talked with Death.

As thus we sat in darkness,
Each one busy in his prayers,--
"We are lost!" the captain shouted,
As he staggered down the stairs. 10

But his little daughter whispered,
As she took his icy hand,
"Is not God upon the ocean,
Just the same as on the land?"

Then we kissed the little maiden, 15
And we spoke in better cheer;
And we anchored safe in harbor
When the morn was shining clear.

CLEMENT C. MOORE

AMERICA, 1779-1863

A Visit from St. Nicholas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, 5
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long wi