The Snow Child

Once there was a merchant free
Lived him there in fair Picardy
And had him there a fair sweet bride
Whose chaste modesty was his pride
They loved each other both full well
Though it must be said, truth to tell
After a time found their love hard
For their life was oft sore marred
By the journeys he needs must take
To tend the trade and riches make
Long and far afield he must go
To make their future fortune grow
For this it was all well and good
But true it must be understood
When a fire is unattended
Often that is swiftly mended
By a wife who finds on her own
The warmth that she has not at home
Thus it was on one fine day
As he returned in the month May
From a two year trip to the west
He found indeed that he was blest
With a red cheeked and rosy son
Who of years had not even one
When in his face his wife did spy
The ire that grew in his black eye
She swift began to him proclaim
That miracle last winter came
To her as she walked out one night
To view the gentle snowfalls sight.
As she looked up into the sky
Gave she a huge and mournful sigh
Into her mouth a snowflake fell
And caused her belly soon to swell
As in her large began to grow
This magic child of winter snow.
Indeed, said he, how blessed we are
Upon us shines a lucky star
That our family might still increase
Though I travel and never cease
My jouneys for our fire and meat
I can return to a babe sweet.
When next that heaven sent white mote
Unto you doth swift approach,
Tremble upon your open lip
My love, do not swallow—just spit!