SPECIMENS OF THE AMERICAN POETS. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. AFTER A TEMPEST. The day had been a day of wind and storm ;— With pleasant vales scooped out, and villages between. B The rain-drops glistened on the trees around, Whose shadows on the tall grass were not stirred, Save when a shower of diamonds, to the ground, Was shaken by the flight of startled bird; For birds were warbling round, and bees were heard About the flowers; the cheerful rivulet sung And gossiped, as he hastened occan-ward; To the gray oak, the squirrel, chiding, clung, And, chirping, from the ground the grasshopper upsprung. And from beneath the leaves, that kept them dry, Flew many a glittering insect here and there, And darted up and down the butterfly, That seemed a living blossom of the air. The flocks came scattering from the thicket, where The violent rain had pent them; in the way Strolled groups of damsels frolicsome and fair; The farmer swung the scythe or turned the hay, And 'twixt the heavy swaths his children were at play. It was a scene of peace-and, like a spell, And happy living things that trod the bright And beauteous scene; while far beyond them all, On many a lovely valley, out of sight, Was poured from the blue heavens, the same soft, golden light. I looked, and thought the quiet of the scene No more shall beg their lives on bended knee, Too long at clash of arms amid her bowers, And pools of blood, the earth has stood aghast, The fair earth, that should only blush with flowers And ruddy fruits; but not for aye can last The storm; and sweet the sunshine when 'tis past; Lo, the clouds roll away-they break-they fly, And, like the glorious light of summer, cast O'er the wide landscape from the embracing sky, On all the peaceful world the smile of heaven shall lie. THE SKIES. Ay, gloriously thou standest there, Beautiful, boundless firmament! With that bright vault and sapphire wall, |