English poem
I
by Théophile Gautier (1811–1872)
Red of nose and white of face, Bent his desk of ice before, Winter doth his theme retrace In the season's quatuor,--
Beating measure and the ground With a frozen foot for us, Singing with uncertain sound Olden tunes and tremulous.
And as Haendel's wig sublime Trembling shook its powder, oft Flutter as he taps his time Snow-flakes in a flurry soft.