I + 

St. Agnes’ Eve⁠—Ah, bitter chill it was! + 

The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold; + 

The hare limp’d trembling through the frozen grass, + 

And silent was the flock in woolly fold: + 

Numb were the Beadsman’s fingers, while he told + 

His rosary, and while his frosted breath, + 

Like pious incense from a censer old, + 

Seem’d taking flight for heaven, without a death, + 

Past the sweet Virgin’s picture, while his prayer he saith. + 