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 Copyright 1912 
 Marvin M. Taylor 
 
3Bp jMarbin jW- tCaplor 
 

 Privately Printed 
 
 by the Author 
 
 1912 
 
 The Davis Press 
 Worcester, Mass. 
 
 0fo 
 
 ©CU330177 
 
TO 
 
 ALL THOSE 
 WHO, WHEN THEY 
 RECALL THE SWEET MEMORIES 
 OF CHILDHOOD, 
 CAN SEE 
 THE SNOW CLAD HILLS, THE SHELTERING BARNS, 
 THE GOODLY CHEER OF HEARTH AND STALL, 
 THE RESTFUL LIFE ON PEACEFUL FARMS, 
 WHEN WINTER REIGNS ABOUT THEM ALL, 
 THESE LINES 
 
 ARE 
 DEDICATED. 
 
Ijeltereti 
 
 1^ HE snow is winter, — 
 
 Tis not the frost, and not the cold, 
 That from the North in legions bold. 
 With spears of ice and coats of mail 
 That glisten thick with crystal scales, 
 Comes rushing down on frosty steeds. 
 And nothing fears and nothing heeds! 
 
 Though songsters all by day and night 
 
 To warmer skies have taken flight, 
 
 And frozen are the ground and lake. 
 
 And trees their leafless branches shake 
 
 Impatient of the biting air, 
 
 And to his warm and secret lair 
 
 In holes in ground and holes in trees 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Each animal for shelter flees; 
 Yet not till down from cold gray skies 
 The fleecy whiteness scattering flies, 
 And covers all the earth below 
 With ermine robe of softest snow, 
 
 Has winter come. 
 Though barns are full of summer's yield, 
 And cellars heaped with fruit of field, 
 And high piled logs with fury blaze 
 Within the spacious fireplace; 
 Yet not till snow is banked around 
 In curving drifts, and all the ground 
 Is covered smooth with blanket white 
 On which frost=crystals glitter bright, 
 
 Has winter come. 
 All din of eager toil is o'er, 
 All strife for life is felt no more. 
 The feverish pulse of springtime birth 
 Now stills in the breast of mother Earth, 
 
 10 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And nature, with the year's increase, 
 Has won the victory of peace. 
 
 And so had come the drifting snows, 
 
 Bidding all Nature to repose. 
 
 Bringing to root, and branch, and seed. 
 
 That rest and sleep which all things need; 
 
 And over all the frozen land 
 
 Had drawn with swift and gentle hand 
 
 A coverlet of softest down. 
 
 Unlike the rain, whose every drop 
 Falls on the earth with vital shock, 
 And calls to every sleeping seed 
 To wake, to work, to live, to lead. 
 Out from the world of buried life 
 And into the world of stress and strife. 
 New life, new branch, new flower, new fruit. 
 Which, in their turn, shall soon recruit 
 The mould of earth from which they came, 
 From life, through death, to life again. 
 
 11 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Thus once again had come the snow, 
 And once again the bleak winds blow, 
 And pile it deep and pile it high. 
 And toss it whirling to the sky, 
 And bank it steep against the wall. 
 And carve it cunningly withal 
 In swirling curves and graceful shapes. 
 More beautiful than sculptor makes. 
 And whiter than the Parian stone, 
 And pure as the golden throne 
 Which aged saint, on Patmos* shores. 
 Saw through the open heavenly doors. 
 
 See the white flakes in myriads come. 
 Like gnomes and elves and fairy sprites. 
 In lawless and fantastic flights 
 From Thor's cold realm of northern lights; 
 And, driven by the harsh commands 
 Of freezing winds from Jotun's land. 
 Sharp biting with the cruel hate 
 
 12 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Of Aesir's ever conquering fate, 
 Rush scurrying on, in witcli=like bands, 
 TiU in a wide and formless mass 
 They fall in resting place at last! 
 
 Or if, perchance, in gentler way 
 They float to earth on winter's day, 
 A winter shower of crystal rain 
 Like a symphony in softest strain^ 
 Then, too, their devious journey o'er, 
 They pile like sands on ocean shore. 
 And, like the sand, each fleecy flake 
 From God's own hand a wondrous make, 
 More beautiful when closely viewed 
 Than graceful spider web bedewed. 
 
 Thus the cold earth that winter's day 
 In winter's cold embraces lay; 
 When over hills of cheerless white 
 The cold sun slowly sank from sight, 
 
 13 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And quick, the twilight deepening, 
 The freezing night was ushered in. 
 
 Within the farmhouse Typhon reigns 
 Though Jotun rules without. In vain 
 His icy arrows beat against 
 
 The window panes! 
 In vain his frost=bespangled hoards 
 Against the weather beaten boards 
 And tightly closed and bolted door 
 Their harsh, investing legions pour! 
 
 The torrid heat of burning logs, 
 Piled high upon the strong iron dogs. 
 Beats back the fierce, relentless foe. 
 And casts a warm and cheerful glow 
 About the room, where calmly sits 
 The mother, rocking as she knits. 
 And father, o'er the Bible bent, 
 Upon its sacred truths intent. 
 
 14 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 She's thinking of her babes asleep; 
 
 And wonders how their little feet 
 
 Will pass along the ways of life, 
 
 In joy or pain, in peace or strife; 
 
 She trembles for the days to come 
 
 When they'll have left their childhood's home. 
 
 Would gladly keep them where they are. 
 
 And never let them wander far. 
 
 Thus muses, where she calmly sits. 
 
 The mother, rocking as she knits. 
 
 Until the fire's glow ghostly flits 
 
 Across the clock, whose solemn ticks 
 
 Are broken by the strike of nine. 
 
 Then, ere she seeks her peaceful bed, 
 By love's divinest prompting led. 
 The mother, with her lamp in hand, 
 Visits again her precious band 
 Of curly heads and chubby cheeks, 
 
 15 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Close wrapped in childhood's blissful sleep; 
 From bed to crib she softly goes 
 And round her darlings tucks the clothes, 
 And gives to each the good=night kiss 
 Unknown to them, but full of bliss 
 
 To her; 
 So, ere the day's work is complete 
 And time has come for him to sleep. 
 Slowly rising from his seat 
 Beside the fire's generous heat. 
 The farmer takes his lantern down. 
 And, buttoning tight his coat around. 
 Visits again the silent barn 
 To see if all is safe from harm. 
 As out into the night he walks 
 Beside him, vast, a giant stalks. 
 His shadow, which the lantern throws 
 Across the crystal glittering snows; 
 Loud creaks the frost upon the ground, 
 
 16 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Save this, the silence how profound! 
 
 Where are the myriad noisy throats 
 That chanted their unchanging notes 
 On summer's night, an orchestra 
 Untrained, unled, yet blending strong 
 In nature's choir of joyous song? 
 
 Within the barn the sudden light 
 
 Disturbs the watches of the night. 
 
 The mice dart swiftly by his feet 
 
 In prudent flight to safe retreat, 
 
 Or rustle slyly in the bays 
 
 When startled by the lantern's rays; 
 
 While, from his perch upon the beams, 
 
 The cat stares coldly down, and deems 
 
 His plans are thwarted by the light 
 
 Which scares his doomed prey from his sight. 
 
 The dog his master comes to greet 
 With stretching salaam at his feet. 
 
 17 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And looking up with loving eyes 
 He wags his tail in glad surprise. 
 No formal salutation this, 
 But heartfelt as the lover's tryst; 
 His master pats him on the head 
 And, thus their mutual greetings said, 
 He seeks again his hollowed bed 
 Upon the mow of soft green hay. 
 Though soon he seems to be asleep. 
 One watchful eye he keeps apeep 
 Upon his master's devious trail. 
 And beats a tattoo with his tail 
 Whene're he comes towards his lair, 
 Or glances at him lying there. 
 
 Aroused by the lantern light 
 Upon their eyrie shining bright. 
 Where they sleep snugly, breast to breast. 
 In gaily painted feathers dressed, 
 
 18 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 The hens and cock upon their perch 
 
 Sound cautious croak and timid chirp, 
 
 Save those that undisturbed swing 
 
 With heads tucked close beneath their wings, 
 
 Perhaps of summer dreaming still; 
 
 Just as the ostrich fears no ill, 
 
 When high upon the plain he stands. 
 
 With his head buried in the sands. 
 
 But they are safe and snugly stowed 
 
 Upon their poles of fir=tree bowed. 
 
 And, only glancing at them there. 
 
 He passes quickly on to where 
 
 The cattle, in two facing rows. 
 
 Silent, enjoy their night's repose. 
 
 At rest upon their strawy beds. 
 
 Through stanchions strong their horned heads, 
 
 Well armed for war had they a foe. 
 
 Swing still and gently to and fro 
 
 19 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Above the polished feeding floor; 
 
 And alternately o'er and o'er, 
 
 As if on sweetest duty bent, 
 
 They chew their cuds with calm content. 
 
 Though they are bound in stocks of oak. 
 They deem it not a prisoner's yoke, 
 But well earned shelter, food and care, 
 Their just reward and honest share 
 For the rich fruit they gladly yield, 
 From the green harvests of the field. 
 By their mysterious alchemy. 
 
 Before them as their master stands 
 With the gleaming lantern in his hands, 
 Slight signs of welcome either makes. 
 And naught the peaceful silence breaks; 
 They, at each other looking, know 
 What needs no noisy notes to show. 
 Thus dearest friends are wont to meet, 
 
 20 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 While enemies and strangers greet 
 With welcome loud and stately bows, 
 As false as cunning courtier's vows. 
 
 Delaying but a moment there, 
 Again he breathes the open air. 
 Where starry heavens all aglow 
 And flashing, gem bespangled snow 
 Vie with each other to display 
 God's jewelsnever seen by day. 
 
 Close by the barn is the tumbling shed. 
 Whose roof sinks low above his head. 
 Bent down by weight of storms and years. 
 And through whose beams he plainly hears 
 The sighing winds, which softly blow 
 The whh-ling puffs of sifting snow 
 Through every crevice, seam and crack. 
 Until, in curious shapes and tracks. 
 
 21 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 It clings upon each sheltered place, 
 And turns a cold and ghostlike face 
 To meet the moon's unfeeling stare, 
 And breathe the frosty, tingling air. 
 
 Here sheep stand nibbling at their ricks, 
 Rough made of rude, bark covered sticks; 
 A timid, gentle flock are they. 
 Far fallen from the ancient day 
 When on the craggy mountain peak. 
 Swept by the harsh winds wild and bleak. 
 Their fearless fathers made their home, 
 Untempted in the vales to roam. 
 Cropped high in air the tender grass. 
 And breathed the fiercest mountain blasts; 
 Now, sheltered by the snow=capped stacks, 
 And wool robes thick upon their backs. 
 They huddle timidly around 
 Upon the winter covered ground. 
 
 Fit types are they of gentleness 
 
 22 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Ere since, down the long centuries, 
 Tlie aged son of Amoz saw, 
 In bold defiance of the law, 
 Unmurmuring, to slaughter led. 
 With crown of thorns upon his head, 
 The gentlest and most warlike Prince 
 That ever ruled a kingdom since 
 The rule of kings on earth began; 
 As gentle to the sinning man, 
 Repentant of his sins at length, 
 As mighty in majestic strength 
 To cunning scribe and hypocrite, 
 And lawyer quoting holy writ. 
 And traffickers for sinful gain 
 Who the broad temple courts profane! 
 
 These need no care; and swinging low 
 The lantern o*er the creaking snow. 
 On which the lighted circle glows 
 
 23 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And wider circling, dimmer grows, 
 He leaves the thick=robed, fleecy flock, 
 And through the door which needs no lock 
 Where all are neighbors, and no wars 
 Are waged twixt laborers and lords, 
 And where no crushed industrial slaves 
 Fierce at their haughty masters rave. 
 Nor haunted, hunted, man=made mass, 
 A hopeless and despairing class. 
 Deem all mankind their enemies. 
 And God and man joint tyrannies, — 
 Through rough, unpainted door of pine. 
 On which the pitchy pine knots shine, 
 He enters where low whinnying calls 
 Guide to the horses in their stalls. 
 
 These calls are not for food or care; 
 For, ere their master took his share 
 Of food their common labors won, 
 Their simple feast was well begun 
 
 24 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 From racks filled full of fragrant hay, 
 And water from across the way, 
 Where, from the spring upon the hill, 
 The penstock pours its steady rill 
 Unfettered by the frost or cold, 
 Though round its stream an icy mould 
 Is ever growing, yet never grows 
 To check the water as it flows, — 
 But thus they speak their welcome, and 
 He pats in turn with gentle hand 
 Each honest face towards him pressed, 
 Awaiting his sincere caress. 
 
 To him their worth does not consist 
 In prowess of famed classic steeds. 
 But in rich mosaic of good deeds. 
 
 When the warm rains and winds of spring 
 The new life of the new year bring, 
 They turn the furrows straight and brown, 
 
 25 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And good seed harrow in the ground, 
 And from the soft turfed meadows green, 
 Where in the sun the sharp scythes gleam, 
 Draw home sweet=scented loads of hay 
 On top of which the children play. 
 
 And later still, in autumn sere. 
 The harvest season of the year. 
 They bring in overflowing barrels, 
 'Mid shouts of laughing boys and girls, 
 The orchard's red=cheeked apple crops. 
 And all the cornfield's golden shocks. 
 And loads of pumpkins, round and yellow, 
 At sight of which the cattle bellow. 
 All eager in their hungry greed 
 To taste their sweet and tender seed. 
 
 The fields of grain, too, golden grow. 
 And soft winds wave it to and fro. 
 Until the busy harvest hands 
 Tie tight the sheaves with twisted bands; 
 
 26 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 These, too, the horses barnward draw, 
 Great loads of heavy fruited straw. 
 Until the mows of harvest sweet 
 Pile high within the rafter's peak. 
 And cellars fill with precious store 
 Until there is no room for more. 
 
 But when recurs the Sabbath blest. 
 
 Of God ordained for holy rest, 
 
 All labor ends, and to God's house 
 
 They draw the worshippers devout. 
 
 From the high hill=top they plainly see. 
 
 In the green valley far below, 
 
 Where harvest fields and meadows grow. 
 
 The village nestling in the trees. 
 
 And rising clear the white church spire 
 
 Pointing their thoughts from earthward higher, 
 
 And churchyard lying at its feet, 
 
 Where they in final quiet sleep 
 
 27 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Whose devious ways on earth are done, 
 And, good or ill, their courses run. 
 
 And when the winds of winter drive 
 Like swarming bees from crowded hive 
 The spangled flakes of swirling snow, 
 They to the frostbound forest go, 
 Where, winding through the crooked tracks. 
 They hear the measured stroke of axe 
 On trunk of beech and birch and ash. 
 Which headlong fall with frightful crash. 
 And bury halfway out of sight 
 In the wood's thick carpet, dazzling white. 
 The sturdy giants of the wood. 
 Thus slain to furnish fire food. 
 In loads heaped high of trunk and limb. 
 Upon the wood shod sled they bring 
 Down the long slopes of the mountain side; 
 An easy task, and happy ride 
 
 28 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 For muffled boys on high perched seats, 
 With eyes content and crimsoned cheeks. 
 
 And other loads, more precious still, 
 
 Of red=cheeked girls from every door, 
 
 And brown=faced boys a plenty more, 
 
 To the red schoolhouse beneath the hill 
 
 They swiftly take, 'mid tinkling bells 
 
 And laughter echoing through the snowbound dells. 
 
 But now, while wealth of summer's stores, 
 
 Feeds life within the tight shut doors, 
 
 And the great fire within the home 
 
 Spreads warmth around, though outside moan 
 
 The wild, weird, winter winds. 
 
 In stalls well spread with beaten straw 
 
 They rest, with no more loads to draw, 
 
 Until the robin's song again 
 
 Makes labor pleasure, and leisure pain. 
 
 29 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And finding thus that all is right 
 For the long watches of the night, 
 Again he shuts the unlocked door 
 And leaves behind, as oft before, 
 The stillness, not of pulseless death, 
 But of throbbing life at peace and rest; 
 And slowly again through the starlit night. 
 Scarce needing the lantern's flickering light. 
 Into the vastness which lies between 
 The white=robed earth and the high unseen. 
 And into the silence, sublime and deep. 
 In which the earth winter's vigil keeps. 
 He crosses once more the winding road. 
 And enters the door of his loved abode; 
 And past high wood=piles in the shed, 
 And corn braids hanging overhead. 
 Comes into the warmth of the dying glow 
 Of the open fire burning low. 
 
 30 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Where sits the mother, her knitting done, 
 Waiting only for him to come. 
 
 Each knows, from the calm in the other's face, 
 That the bairns are well and the beasts are safe; 
 She puts away her needle and thread. 
 And he hangs the lantern on the peg. 
 For now the day's work is complete 
 And time has come for them to sleep. 
 
 Then, through that long December night, 
 Until the morning's brilliant light 
 Comes streaming o'er the white hill=tops, 
 A perfect stillness reigns within. 
 Excepting when the noisy clock 
 Cries out the hours with startling din; 
 The curling smoke no longer floats 
 Skyward from the chimney throat. 
 And in the fireplace below 
 Dies the last ember's fitful glow. 
 
 31 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 While on the small square window=panes 
 The frost=fairies unmolested reign, 
 And fresco deep with cunning skill 
 The white frost pictures at their will. 
 
 But now, across the valley deep 
 
 From eastern crest to western steep. 
 
 Steals stealthily a trembling light 
 
 Through the cheerless gloom of the frosty night, 
 
 And timorously it whispers still. 
 
 Through all the valley from hill to hill. 
 
 That Day is coming, that once again 
 
 The sun bowls up the eastern plain 
 
 Of the heavens blue, adriving Night, 
 
 And scattering the stars in headlong flight. 
 
 And flashing afar, over forests and fields. 
 
 The morning light from his chariot wheels; 
 
 And, ere it tells it and makes retreat 
 
 O'er the western hills with the darkness fleet. 
 
 32 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Lo, over the tops of the eastern peaks 
 The sky is painted with brilliant streaks, 
 And from peak to peak is swiftly drawn 
 The crimson curtains of the dawn, 
 Which, richly blending, hang between 
 The whitened earth and the azure sheen 
 Of the vaulting sky, whose boundless shore 
 Shall azure be forevermore. 
 For it can know nor nights nor days. 
 But gathers its blue from all the rays 
 Of all the suns of the universe. 
 And is not shadowed by the earth. 
 
 But the sun stays not that the brilliant East 
 May display her regal embroideries 
 Like the hangings rich at Belshazzar's feast; 
 He knows that, in his gorgeous train 
 As he sweeps round the world from land to main. 
 There follows ever the dazzling West 
 In all the rainbow's splendors dressed, 
 
 33 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And that the beauty which foreruns the light 
 
 Is dimmed by the glory which heralds the night; 
 
 And quickly taking the turrets white 
 
 And the battlements of the eastern heights 
 
 Majestic he rises through the snows, 
 
 And full above the horizon glows! 
 
 Then the murky gray of the moonlit night 
 Glows rich with a mellow, golden light, 
 And a radiance, which is never seen 
 When the earth is clad in summer's green, 
 Pervades the valley, and drives the shades 
 From thickets deep and darkest glades; 
 While all the countless crystal forms. 
 With which the winter herself adorns, 
 Awake as it were to greet the light. 
 Decked in their flittering tinsels bright: 
 The hoar=frost glitters on the trees. 
 The icicles glisten on the eaves. 
 
 34 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 The pointed spangles on the flakes 
 Into flashing brilliance break, 
 While in the valley far beneath, 
 Wrapped in its polished icy sheath, 
 The lake displays its peaceful sheen 
 The curving, snowbound banks between. 
 Naught else appears to meet the day, 
 No birds pour forth their morning lay, 
 No tinkling sheep=bells on the hills. 
 No falling brooks, no murmuring rills, 
 No lowing cattle on the leas. 
 No strident wings, no humming bees, — 
 Perchance the crow's foreboding note, 
 Or bark of dog from house remote. 
 Seem but the silence to increase. 
 And deepen the calm winter's peace. 
 
 But ere the fully risen sun 
 Shines high above the horizon, 
 
 35 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And while the long black shadows grope 
 Like sad ghosts down the eastern slope, 
 The lamplight throws its feeble glow 
 Through thick frost windows on the snow. 
 And in the grimy fireplace 
 The red flame shows its cheerful face, 
 And crackles through the woody seams, 
 While the tea=kettle fiercely steams, 
 And in a calm, contented strain 
 Sings loudly, hanging on the crane. 
 
 Thus in the house the busy cares, 
 Which love makes easy for all to share, 
 Begin again their wonted round 
 Where cheer and plenty and health abound. 
 
 And in the farmyard teeming life 
 Is all astir, and daily strife. 
 From many a friendly battle gage. 
 Is stout and clamorously waged. 
 
 36 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 From their high perches overhead, 
 By their proud, plumed chieftain led, 
 The hungry fowl come swooping down 
 In wild confusion to the ground. 
 Where, from the rough and battered pan, 
 The farm lad spreads with generous hand 
 The yellow corn and buckwheat gray; 
 This, in an eager, noisy way, 
 Tumultuously the feathered clans. 
 With scarlet combs and speckled bands 
 Of plumage flaunting jauntily. 
 Close at his feet, undauntedly 
 Devour; while, from their high perched croft. 
 Or rude home in the gable loft, 
 The graceful doves fly, cooing, down 
 To share the feast spread on the ground. 
 
 And near by, where the mild=eyed sheep 
 Their peaceful, nightly vigils keep 
 
 37 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 In the shadows of the ruined shed, 
 Appears the fierce ram's horned head; 
 And round him, in a circling row, 
 All his beloved seraglio, 
 Intent upon their sweet repast. 
 Are daintily mining deeper still 
 Round tunnels in the leaning stack. 
 
 And in the barns the long night's sleep 
 Is broken by the lights which creep 
 Through cracks between the boards of pine. 
 And cobwebbed windows thick with grime, 
 And knotholes, where the sunlight beams 
 Like searchlights o'er the midnight streams. 
 
 The dog, impatient for the day. 
 Has risen from his bed of hay. 
 And listens by the bolted door 
 To hear his master coming o'er 
 The creaking snow, and, at the sound 
 
 38 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Of his far footsteps on the ground, 
 Barks loudly forth as if to tell 
 A welcome waits, and all is well; 
 And at the threshold, whining, stands 
 To kiss his master's friendly hands. 
 And jumps about with upturned face 
 In which the truest love finds place, 
 And greets him with full loving eyes 
 And joyous, love expressing cries. 
 If men were only half as true 
 As honest dogs to me and you. 
 Our lives would be worth living then, 
 The world would be Utopian! 
 
 This noisy welcome at the door 
 
 Awakes the cattle on the floor 
 
 From dreams, perchance, of pastures sweet, 
 
 And shady banks and cool retreats; 
 
 They calmly lift their sleepy heads. 
 
 39 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And, slowly rising from their beds, 
 With eager looks and plaintive cries 
 Implore the bountiful supplies 
 Stored in the lofts and bins and bays. 
 Sweet fruitage of past harvest days. 
 And soon their daybreak feast is spread. 
 And they are bountifully fed 
 From baskets full of juicy roots. 
 On top of which the farmer puts 
 The handfuls rich of savory meal, 
 Ground by the swift revolving wheel 
 Which turns the rude old water=mill 
 That stands beneath the wooded hill. 
 
 Without delay for formal grace. 
 Or watchful eyes to keep apace 
 With details of propriety. 
 Sure marks of high society, 
 They eagerly press to the feast, 
 
 40 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Unchecked by customs in the least; 
 And battle for the truant specks 
 With clashing horns and stretching necks, 
 And, down upon their calloused knees, 
 Their lapping tongues no remnants leave. 
 Meanwhile, down from the lofty bay, 
 The farmer tumbles fragrant hay. 
 And generously piles it deep 
 Within the cattle's easy reach; 
 And this they leisurely devour 
 Throughout the quiet morning hour. 
 
 The cunning rodents, also, come 
 From out their well=concealed homes. 
 And, through the loosely matted hay. 
 They pierce dark tunnels for a way 
 To where, behind the spacious bins. 
 With envied grain filled to the brims. 
 With cutting teeth they dig the hole 
 
 41 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 To treasures richer far than gold. 
 They feast on that they never stored, 
 Like titled lords whose laps are poured 
 Full high with what their serfs should keep; 
 They do not sow, but only reap: 
 And this, for each, correctly tells 
 Why they are very Ishmaels! 
 
 And far above the threshing floor. 
 Upon the rough beams spanning o'er 
 In architecture rude and strong, 
 The storni=bound birds in numbers throng; 
 These, in the barn for shelter warm. 
 Have taken refuge from the storm 
 Through wide gaps in the gable peak, 
 And slyly on the high mows seek 
 For toothsome bit and dainty seed 
 On which they unmolested feed. 
 
 42 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Thus good cheer reigning neath the roofs 
 And rest and quietness are proofs, 
 That, when the lap of mother Earth 
 Of hospitality is dearth, 
 Her bounty still, in generous store. 
 Makes life her debtor o'er and o'er. 
 
 At noon, when even winter's cold 
 Unbroken power cannot hold 
 Against the rays of midway sun. 
 The cattle from the friendly stocks 
 Are loosened, and the unbarred locks 
 Swing wide the doors through which they go 
 Out into the barnyard deep with snow; 
 And soon, by thirst for water led. 
 With chosen leader at their head, 
 They seek the hard, well=beaten path 
 On which each day they slowly pass 
 With measured step and peaceful mein. 
 
 43 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 So, often, o'er the prairies green. 
 Or through the gloomy, pathless shades, 
 Or jungles thick or everglades. 
 Tall Indians, on pleasure bent. 
 Or on the cunning chase intent, 
 Or in their warlike gear arrayed 
 With arrow, bow and spear displayed. 
 Filed slowly on, by chieftain led. 
 With stately air and silent tread. 
 
 To hidden spring beneath the hill. 
 Or running brook that babbles still 
 Adown the snowbound valley white. 
 Now bridged with snow and now in sight. 
 The trail of kine this winter day. 
 Silent, pursues its winding way. 
 
 And there the peaceful cavalcade 
 Is broken up, and dress parade 
 Of long white horns and level backs 
 
 44 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Deserts the safe and narrow tracks. 
 
 By wallowing through the fleecy snow 
 To the buried spring or brook they go, 
 And, bending o'er the treacherous brink, 
 Enjoy the pure, copious drink 
 Of water which, from day to day, 
 By hidden path and devious way. 
 Flows on through pasture, wood and lea 
 Till lost in surging, pathless sea. 
 
 And having quickly drunk their fill 
 Naught else tempts them to linger still; 
 No tender grass beside the brook. 
 No cool, deep pool, no shady nook 
 To shield them from the burning sun 
 Until its fiery course is run 
 And angrily it sinks to rest 
 Behind the mountains in the west; 
 But biting winds from uplands bleak 
 Prompt them the beaten path to seek; 
 
 45 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 And soon again, with measured tread, 
 The cattle file toward sheltering shed. 
 
 Within the barn, to stanchions strong 
 In one long row where they belong. 
 Or face to face in double rows, 
 To place familiar each one goes. 
 Again before them piles the hay, 
 Well dried by sun of summer's day, 
 And rich with scent of flowers sweet 
 That bloomed unnoticed at the feet 
 Of statelier grass; these, fallen now 
 And still unseen, perfume the mow. 
 
 And while the herd=grass they devour 
 Through the quickly falling twilight hour, 
 To the swinging roost the crested cock 
 Again invites his trusting flock; 
 Where, with much din of scolding croaks, 
 And goodnights told in gentler notes. 
 
 46 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 They find at length their resting place, 
 And, breast to breast with Christian grace, 
 They huddle close in peaceful rows. 
 And, silent, seek their night's repose. 
 
 Meanwhile the cat to his watch tower 
 
 Climbs stealthily, and hour by hour 
 
 Half dozes, yet alert is he 
 
 His cunning, timid prey to see; 
 
 While the sheep within the roofless shed, 
 
 Having no need for sumptuous bed. 
 
 Wrapped thick about in their blanket sheath 
 
 Of fleecy wool, with mincing teeth 
 
 Chew their sweet cuds, and close their eyes 
 
 Beneath the cold, star lighted skies. 
 
 Thus as the dim light fades away 
 Through biting cold at close of day, 
 The setting sun o'er hills of gray 
 
 47 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Throws back the brilliant colored rays, 
 And glorious beauty veils the light 
 Whose dying ushers in the night. 
 
 The lamp again shines through the panes, 
 And shadows from the darting flames 
 Which leap high in the fireplace 
 Flit o'er the snow with ghostly grace, 
 And dance among the leafless trees 
 Like gibbering gnomes in ghoulish glees. 
 
 And baffled Winter, glaring in 
 With cruel eyes and visage grim, 
 Beholds the peace and homely cheer 
 Of the rest season of the year. 
 
 Quick to the saddle of the winds 
 In angry restlessness he springs. 
 And sweeps on to the craggy rocks. 
 To howl around the bald hill=tops. 
 Or lurk within some bleak confines. 
 
 48 
 
SHELTERED 
 
 Or moan among the gloomy pines: — 
 And leaves them where again she sits, 
 The mother, rocking as she knits, 
 And father, o'er his Bible bent, 
 Upon its sacred truths intent. 
 
 49 
 
DEC 11 1912 
 
 A H 1 
 
 / 
 
 oi 
 
0^ <*^_ -^5^' ^ ,-_ 
 
 
 r.. 
 
 
 
» « » ' . ^ 
 
 
 
 
 HECKMAN 
 
 BINDERY INC. 
 
 ,^ DEC 88 
 
 N. MANCHESTER, 
 iKiniAMA iienco 
 
 ."^ .»••