I
IN barns we crouch, and under stacks of straw, | |
| Harking the storm that rides a hurtling legion | |
| Up the arched sky, and speeds quick heels of panic | |
| With growling thunder loosed in fork and clap | |
| That echoes crashing thro’ the slumbrous vault. | 5 |
| The whispering woodlands darken: vulture Gloom | |
| Stoops, menacing the skeltering flocks of Light, | |
| Where the gaunt shepherd shakes his gleaming staff | |
| And foots with angry tidings down the slope. | |
| Drip, drip; the rain steals in through soaking thatch | 10 |
| By cob-webbed rafters to the dusty floor. | |
| Drums shatter in the tumult; wrathful Chaos | |
| Points pealing din to the zenith, then resolves | |
| Terror in wonderment with rich collapse. | |
| |
II
Now from drenched eaves a swallow darts to skim | 15 |
| The crystal stillness of an air unveiled | |
| To tremulous blue. Raise your bowed heads, and let | |
| Your horns adore the sky, ye patient kine! | |
| Haste, flashing brooks! Small, chuckling rills, rejoice! | |
| Be open-eyed for Heaven, ye pools of peace! | 20 |
| Shine, rain-bow hills! Dream on, fair glimpsèd vale | |
| In haze of drifting gold! And all sweet birds, | |
| Sing out your raptures to the radiant leaves! | |
| And ye, close huddling Men, come forth to stand | |
| A moment simple in the gaze of God | 25 |
| That sweeps along your pastures! Breathe his might! | |
| Lift your blind faces to be filled with day, | |
| And share his benediction with the flowers. | |
