=Frost, the Winter-Sprite=

The Frost looked forth on a still, clear night,
And whispered, “Now I shall be out of sight;
So through the valley, and over the height
  I’ll silently take my way. 
I will not go on like that blustering train,
The wind and the snow, the hail and the rain,
That make so much bustle and noise in vain. 
  But I’ll be as busy as they!”

He flew up, and powdered the mountain’s crest;
He lit on the trees, and their boughs he drest
With diamonds and pearls;—­and over the breast
  Of the quivering Lake he spread
A bright coat of mail that it need not fear
The glittering point of many a spear
That he hung on its margin, far and near,
  Where a rock was rearing its head.

He went to the windows of those who slept,
And over each pane, like a fairy crept;
Wherever he breathed—­wherever he stepped—­
  Most beautiful things were seen
By morning’s first light!—­there flowers and trees,
With bevies of birds, and swarms of bright bees;—­
There were cities—­temples, and towers; and these,
  All pictured in silvery sheen!

But one thing he did that was hardly fair—­
He peeped in the cupboard, and, finding there
That none had remembered for him to prepare,
  “Now, just to set them a-thinking,
I’ll bite their rich basket of fruit,” said he,
“This burly old pitcher—­I’ll burst it in three! 
And the glass with the water they’ve left for me
  Shall ‘tchick!’ to tell them I’m drinking!”

=Vivy Vain=

Miss Vain was all given to dress—­
Too fond of gay clothing; and so,
  She’d gad about town
  Just to show a new gown,
As a train-band their color to show.

Her head being empty and light,
Whene’er she obtained a new hat,
  With pride in her air,
  She’d go round, here and there,
For all whom she knew to see that.

Her folly was chiefly in this: 
More highly she valued fine looks,
  Than virtue or truth,
  Or devoting her youth
To usefulness, friendship, or books.

Her passion for show was unchecked;
And therefore, it happened one day,
  Arrayed in bright hues,
  And with new hat and shoes,
Miss Vain walked abroad for display.

She took the most populous streets. 
To cause but aversion in those,
  Who saw how she prinked,
  And the bystanders winked. 
While the boys cried, “Halloo! there she goes!”

It chanced, that, in passing on way,
She came near a pool, and a green
  With fence close and high;
  And, as Vivy drew nigh,
A donkey stood near it unseen.

He put his mouth over its top,
The moment she came by his place;
  And gave a loud bray
  In her ear, when, away
She sprang, shrieked, and fell on her face.

She thought she was swallowed alive,
Awhile upon earth lying flat;
  And the terrible sound
  Seemed to furrow the ground
She embraced in her fine gown and hat.