University of Virginia Library

THE HIGH THUNDER.

When the high thunder shakes along the crest
Its lightning like fierce sanguine-tinted plumes
Abide in peace—yea, in thy valley rest.
This fire of God earth's blossom-heart consumes:
When through the thunderous canopy forth looms
The white august unkindled mountain-top,
Unscorched and laughing,—where the green earth blooms
Far from the lightning do thou, sweetheart, stop,
Nor tempt the swift forked fire to rake thy crop
Of golden quiet corn,—but let me soar
Up to blue regions whence the wild larks drop
Unable, even they, one blue yard more
To traverse—then the eagles' wings I'll take,
And meads and creeds of earth for e'er forsake.

BRIDE OF THE EAGLES.

Or wilt thou dare the height, and be my bride,
Bride of the eagles, loftier than the lark
Upsoaring, through the tremulous bright tide
Of air at dawn, or through the sundered dark
Wherein the moon a red fierce floating spark
Swims, and it dims the darkness round our heads,—
And now far upland voices sound, and hark!
Close to us seem the star-embroidered meads
Through which the chariot of the four winds speeds—
Yea, thine shall be the gentle west wind's crown—
I am the wind that rustles 'mid the reeds
In harsh December, shakes earth's turrets down—
Thou art the west wind, sweet, and I the north—
With wedded splendid breath we sally forth!