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James Whitcomb Riley - "A Brave Refrain"
Work rating: Low

When snow is here, and the trees look weird,
  And the knuckled twigs are gloved with frost;
When the breath congeals in the drover`s beard,
  And the old pathway to the barn is lost;
When the rooster`s crow is sad to hear,
  And the stamp of the stabled horse is vain,
And the tone of the cow-bell grieves the ear--
  O then is the time for a brave refrain!

When the gears hang stiff on the harness-peg,
  And the tallow gleams in frozen streaks;
And the old hen stands on a lonesome leg,
  And the pump sounds hoarse and the handle squeaks;
When the woodpile lies in a shrouded heap,
  And the frost is scratched from the window-pane
And anxious eyes from the inside peep--
  O then is the time for a brave refrain!

When the ax-helve warms at the chimney-jamb,
  And hob-nailed shoes on the hearth below,
And the house-cat curls in a slumber calm,
  And the eight-day clock ticks loud and slow;
When the harsh broom-handle jabs the ceil
  `Neath the kitchen-loft, and the drowsy brain
Sniffs the breath of the morning meal--
  O then is the time for a brave refrain!


ENVOI

When the skillet seethes, and a blubbering hot
Tilts the lid of the coffee-pot,
And the scent of the buckwheat cake grows plain--
O then is the time for a brave refrain!
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