Silent is the house

Silent is the house

All are laid asleep

One alone looks out

O'er the snow wreaths deep

Watching every cloud

Dreading every breeze

That whirls the wildering drifts

And bends the groaning trees

Cheerful is the hearth

Soft the matted floor

Not one shivering gust

Creeps through pane and door

The little lamp burns straight

Its rays shoot strong and far

I trim it well to be

The wanderers guiding star

Frown my haughty sire

Chide my angry dame

Set your slaves to spy

Threaten me with shame

But neither sire nor dame

Nor prying serf shall know

What angel nightly tracks

That waste of winter snow

What I love shall come

Like visitant of air

Safe in secret power

From lurking human snare

Who loves me no word of mine

Shall o'er betray

Though for faith unstained

My life must forfeit pay

Burn then little lamp

Glimmer straight and clear

Hush a rusting wind stirs

Me thinks the air

He for whom I wait

Thus ever comes to me

Strange power I trust your might

Trust thou my constancy