The sky was fair and lovely
As the two friends made their way
Up mountains steep, and if it held
They'd be back down in a day
The way was steep and rocky
Beatrice took the lead
As she prepared the ropes and gear
Philo the sky did read
The sky was lightly dusted
With some subtle flecks of white
The way was long and winding
But they had enough daylight
A rock broke loose behind them
And Philo lost his grip
The rope was fixed securely
Beatrice did not slip
The wind began to howl
And they sky was turning black
And though they wished to press on
They knew they had to turn back
There was no path behind them
And they knew not what's ahead
They had to reach the valley
Or they both would soon be dead
The snow was falling heavy
And it made them nearly blind
And so it was that Philo
His footing could not find
And when the dust had settled
He was lying on the ground
He had sped up his descent
With a makeshift route he found
But they had no time to wonder
If the injury was bad
He limped his way to safety
With the little strength he had