The bells :: :: University of Virginia Library

All through that dreariest day,
Out of the window pane
We gazed, but our eyes could see
The rain,—nothing but rain.
Drip, drip, drip,
It said to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And danced upon the leaves.

The flowers that clomb the porch,
Violets like the skies,
Grew as dreamy and dim as
A tearful maiden's eyes.
Drip, drip, drip,
It said to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And trembled on the leaves.

A thrill, like a thrill of joy,
Ran through the fields of grain;
And they bowed their heads beneath
The blessing of the rain!
Drip, drip, drip,
It said to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And danced upon the leaves.

The barn grew solemn and brown,
The white-washed fence and wall;
And the “poplars” at the gate
Looked odd, and grim, and tall.
Drip, drip, drip,
It said to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And trembled on the leaves.

When seated around the hearth—
The evening meal was through—
We could hear the cunning rain
Come singing down the flue.
Drip, drip, drip,
It said to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And danced upon the leaves.

And when we went to our beds,
Still we could hear the rain;
It tried the kitchen door, and
Spit on the window pane!
Drip, drip, drip,
It said to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And trembled on the leaves.

Still does it haunt our dreams, that
Weariest, dreary rain,
That came from the mouths of clouds,
To bless the golden grain!
Drip, drip, drip,
It says to the sullen eaves;
Drip, drip, drip,
And trembles on the leaves.