The Picture

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T HE picture which I see to-night, upon the wall of old,
      old time,
Is real and fair enough, I trow, to paint again in homely
     rhyme;
Because so real is the scene--I seem to walk along the way,
Along the road of years ago, where with my dog I used to
     play.

The little bridge so oft I crossed remains as plain as long ago,
Near where with skates and sled I went, on icy surface all
     aglow ;
The old and leafless tree appears, in naked garb to stem the
     storm,
And add unto this winter scene where everything seems so
     forlorn.

Wood-colored house around the turn of that old road so
     plain to see,
Beneath the full and silver moon, with its fair face, to beam
     on me;
Although the misty clouds above, in contrast leave a picture
     fair,
As lights in windows of the house; though old, perhaps you
     find me there.

Except for that, no sign appears about the winter scene to-
     night
And still I love the fleecy snow, o'er which my hand-sled ran
     so light;
Yes, all is very dear to me, and every rod I fondly know,
And with my dog and skates again, the picture fair I love to
     show.