SUMMER EVE. 75 That, soon as loosed booms with full twang away, (The sudden rushing of the minnow shoal Scared from the shallows by my passing tread.) (Dimpling the water glides, with here and there A glossy fly, skimming in circlets gay The treacherous surface, while the quick-eyed trout Some feathered dam, purveying 'mong the boughs, GRAHAME. ✓ SUMMER EVE. Down the sultry arc of day The burning wheels have urged their way, Whistling now and then by fits; Urging on the sluggish Ball. The barn is still,-the master's gone, And thresher puts his jacket on ; His empty wallet Rover carries,— If the horse-trough be not dry. The milk is settled in the pans, And supper messes in the cans; And both the colts are drove a-field: The snare for Mister Fox is set, Are set, to eat their supper mess; SUMMER EVE. And little Tom and roguish Kate The pale-eyed moon is mounted high. Sees shutters fast, the mastiff out; And nought from thieves or fire to fear; And join the general troop of sleep. KIRKE WHITE. 77 LEAFY JUNE. Now come the rosy June, and blue-eyed Hours, With cuckoo's call from green depths of old woods ;) That sweetens the smooth air with a melodious noise. THE RAIN. How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and heat, In the broad and fiery street, In the narrow lane, How beautiful is the rain! WEBBE. THE RAIN. How it clatters along the roofs, How it gushes and struggles out From the throat of the overflowing spout! Across the window-pane It pours and pours; And swift and wide, With a muddy tide, Like a river down the gutter roars The rain, the welcome rain! The sick man from his chamber looks At the twisted brooks; He can feel the cool Breath of each little pool; His fevered brain. Grows calm again, And he breathes a blessing on the rain. From the neighboring school Come the boys, With more than their wonted noise And commotion ; And down the wet streets 79 |