O English mother, in the ruddy glow <br />Hugging your baby closer when outside <br />You see the silent, soft, and cruel snow <br />Falling again, and think what ills betide <br />Unshelter'd creatures,--your sad thoughts may go <br />Where War and Winter now, two spectre-wolves, <br />Hunt in the freezing vapour that involves <br />Those Asian peaks of ice and gulfs below. <br />Does this young Soldier heed the snow that fills <br />His mouth and open eyes? or mind, in truth, <br />To-night, his mother's parting syllables? <br />Ha! is't a red coat?--Merely blood. Keep ruth <br />For others; this is but an Afghan youth <br />Shot by the stranger on his native hills.<br /><br />William Allingham<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-snow/
