The night was wide, and furnished scant
With but a single star
That often as a cloud it met
Blew out itself for fear.
 
The wind pursued the little bush
And drove away the leaves
November left, then clambered up
And fretted in the eaves.
 
No squirrel went abroad.
A dog's belated feet,
Like intermittent plush, he heard
Adown the empty street.
 
To feel if blinds be fast,
And closer to the fire
Her little rocking chair to draw,
And shiver for the poor,
 
The housewife's gentle task.
"How pleasanter," said she
Unto the sofa opposite,
"The sleet than May, no thee."