THE SNOW QUEEN

WHERE the wild bear clasps the ice

Over the hanging precipice,

Where the glittering icebergs shine

Within the sunset, red as wine,

Where the reindeer lick the snow,

To see what there may be below,

Where the shades are blue and green,

There lives, they say, the great Snow Queen.

Wild her eyes are as the sea

When northern winds blow lustily.

Her queenly robes are white as snow,

But flaming diamonds on them glow,

And many a precious stone.

Of green ice builded is her throne:

Polar bears her watch-dogs are--

Her only lamp, an evening star.