Читать книгу The Keepsake - Unknown - Страница 4

Brightly shines the winter's sun,

O'er mountains clad with snow,

Blithe and gay the youthful throng

Sport in the plains below.

"Come," the venturous Edward cries,

"Let's try yon glassy tide;

Upon its smooth and frozen breast

We'll make a glorious slide."

"Oh, stay," his sister Ellen said,

"My dearest Edward, stay!

You know mamma forbade us all

To try the ice to-day."

"Hush! foolish Ellen, see how strong,

How firm the ice appears:

Mamma, I'm sure, if she were here,

Would banish all her fears.

"This stone with mighty force I throw,

Nor break, nor crack you see;

Then surely I may slide secure,

It will not yield with me."

He said, and darted o'er the stream,

Then turn'd in triumph round:

"Come, follow me, my comrades brave,

What danger have I found?"

In his success exulting now,

He leaps with sudden spring—

It cracks! it breaks! his cries are vain,

He plunges headlong in!

Who now the hapless boy shall snatch

From a cold wat'ry grave?—

Poor Ellen flies, with breathless speed,

Her brother's life to save.

He rises half—her shawl she flings

Into his eager hand,

Then, with her playmate's added strength,

She drags him safe to land.

With shivering limbs and dripping clothes,

Homeward he pensive turns;

He deeply now, alas! too late,

His disobedience mourns.

For three long months poor Edward groan'd

Upon a bed of pain;

'Twas three long months before he felt

The breeze of heaven again.

These three long months did Ellen strive,

By every tender care,

To soften Edward's grief, and soothe

The pain she wish'd to share.

What joy for both, when he once more

Could join the festive throng!

Yet oft he paus'd amid their sports,

To think if this were wrong.