Shapes and Shadows — Rain

RAIN.

Around, the stillness deepened; then the grain Went wild with wind; and every briery lane Was swept with dust; and then, tempestuous black, Hillward the tempest heaved a monster back, That on the thunder leaned as on a cane;

And on huge shoulders bore a cloudy pack, That gullied gold from many a lightning-crack: One great drop splashed and wrinkled down the pane, And then field, hill, and wood were lost in rain.

At last, through clouds,--as from a cavern hewn Into night's heart,--the sun burst, angry roon;

And every cedar, with its weight of wet, Against the sunset's fiery splendour set, Frightened to beauty, seemed with rubies strewn;

Then in drenched gardens, like sweet phantoms met, Dim odours rose of pink and mignonette;

And in the East a confidence, that soon Grew to the calm assurance of the Moon.