Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/140
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MARMION.
Edinburgh.
When dark December glooms the day,And takes our autumn joys away;When short and scant the sunbeam throws,Upon the weary waste of snows,5A cold and profitless regard,Like patron on a needy bard;When silvan occupation's done,And o'er the chimney rests the gun,And hang, in idle trophy, near,10The game-pouch, fishing-rod, and spear;When wiry terrier, rough and grim,And greyhound, with his length of limb,And pointer, now employ'd no more,Cumber our parlour's narrow floor;15When in his stall the impatient steedIs long condemn'd to rest and feed;When from our snow-encircled home,Scarce cares the hardiest step to roamSince path is none, save that to bring20The needful water from the spring;When wrinkled news-page, thrice conn'd o'er,Beguiles the dreary hour no more,And darkling politician, cross'd,Inveighs against the lingering post,25And answering housewife sore complainsOf carriers' snow-impeded wains;