From east to west their standards were unfurled,
Summoning visions of the Arctic winter
And whalers prisoned in a frozen world.

Then formed a tent, across the starry heavens,
Woven of interlacing beams of light
Flung lightly o'er the arches which supported,
High overhead, the canopy of night.

Once more a wide and undulating archway
Expressed in quivering jets of frosty flame,
Against the background of the midnight shadows,
With play of countless brilliant flashes, came;

While dark below flowed on the silent ocean:
An anchored barque swayed slowly on the swell.
And here and there a phosphorescent glimmer
Showed where the trailing seaweed rose and fell.

Cupid--
I thank you, Frosties, for your song and story
About the Northern Lights in all their glory;
But time is hasting on, I must be going.
The sun through lengthened days is warmly glowing.
Farewell Paolo too: what shall I say
When I shall meet your maiden on my way?

Paolo--
Haste, Cupid; haste: fly forth on rapid wing
Bearing your dainty bow and feathered darts;