Classic Poem

1

Charlottie liv'd on a mountain top in a bleak and lonely spot,
There were no other dwellings there except her father's cot.
And yet, on many a wintry night, young swains were gathered there;
Her father kept a social board and she was very fair.

2

On a New Year's Eve as the sun went down, far looked her wishful eye
Out from the frosty window pane as a merry sleigh dashed by.
At a village fifteen miles away was to be a ball that night,
And though the air was piercing cold her heart was warm and light.

3

How brightly gleamed her laughing eye, as a well known voice she heard;
And dashing up to the cottage door her lover's sleigh appeared.
" Oh, daughter dear, " her mother cried, " This blanket round you fold,
Tonight is a dreadful one, you'll get your death of cold. "

4

" Oh, nay, oh nay! " Charlottie cried, as she laughed like a gypsy queen,
" To ride in blankets muffled up I never would be seen;
My silken cloak is quite enough, you know 'tis lined throughout,
And there's my silken scarf to twine my head and neck about. "

5

Her bonnet and her gloves were on, she leaped into the sleigh,
And swiftly they sped down the mountain side and o'er the hills away.
With muffled beat so silently five miles at length were passed,
When Charles with a few and shivering words the silence broke at last.

6

" Such a dreadful night, I never saw, the reins I scarce can hold, "
Charlottie faintly then replied, " I am exceeding cold. "
He cracked his whip, he urged his steed much faster than before;
And thus five other weary miles in silence were passed o'er.

7

Said Charles: " How fast the shivering ice is gathering on my brow, "
And Charlott' then more faintly cried, " I'm growing warmer now. "
Thus on they rode through frosty air and the glittering cold starlight,
Until at last the village lamps and the ballroom came in sight.

8

They reached the door and Charles sprang out, he reached his hand to her,
" Why set you there like a monoment that has no power to stir? "
He called her once, he called her twice, she answered not a word;
He asked her for her hands again, but still she never stirred.

9

He took her hand in his, — 'twas cold and hard as any stone;
He tore the mantle from her face, the cold stars o'er it shone.
Then quickly to the lighted hall her lifeless form he bore;
Charlottie's eyes had closed for aye, her voice was heard no more.

10

And there he sat down by her side, while bitter tears did flow
And cried, " My own, my charming bride, 'tis you may never know. "
He twined his arms around her neck, he kissed her marble brow;
His thoughts flew back to where she said, " I'm growing warmer now. "