The Fire and the Frost [pp. 463-464]

The Fire and the Frost.
to the Kanawha Valley on yesterday, I
had the gratification to receive your letter
dated at Winchester on the 5th, and at
Oronoko on the 9th instant. Your determination to surrender one year's gratuitous use of the painting, and to devote
the proceeds of the exhibition as well as
your collections to defraying its cost, is
an evidence of disinterestedness on your
part, and of increased zeal for the undertaking which you have nowv so nearly
brought to a successful close. You have
therefore my full consent and authority as
Chairman of the Committee acting in b1ehalf of the Society of Alrumnii, to retain
your character as our Agent for receiving
contributions under the agreement of the
23rd of October, 1855. When you shall
have realized for the Committee the sum
of $2500, I shall be happy to see the
paintingf deposited in its destined place
And this I trust you will be able to accomvplish by Christmas next.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
THOMAS HI. ELLIS.
THE FIRE AND THE FROST.
I.
The frost is on the pane
As in the years before And the flashing flame leaps to the walls,
And many a tinkling footstep falls
Within, but all is o'er!
Behind that pane of frost and fire
I'll see your face no more!
II,
I would not!-love is dead! Your heart was cold and poor And the fitful flame that girds the walls
And the careless step that idly falls
Are like the love I wore Wore for a day:
I throw it away!
Get other hearts to melt and adore
Behind that pane of fire and frost
My own shall melt no more!
III.
I see your figure glide
There'-through the oaken door!
But though the light on your shoulder falls
Your delicate shadow on the walls
The power of the spell is o'er!
Your locks of gold
And wealth untold
Of warm, swveet, clinging kisses-caresses —
Once made my heart
Flutter and start
And soar like a falcon released from the jesses!
Dead!
1856.]
463