 | Poems by James Rhoades |  |
118
IV.
[I saw a lark mount up from earth to heaven]
I saw a lark mount up from earth to heaven,
When thunder and fierce lightnings were abroad:
With one bright crash the neighbouring oak was riven,
And bent knees trembled in the House of God.
When thunder and fierce lightnings were abroad:
With one bright crash the neighbouring oak was riven,
And bent knees trembled in the House of God.
The white-rob'd choir a solemn chant they sang—
“Lord, let me know the number of my days:”
But fiercer overhead the lightning sprang,
And blacker darkness swallowed up the blaze.
“Lord, let me know the number of my days:”
But fiercer overhead the lightning sprang,
And blacker darkness swallowed up the blaze.
Then rose the bird—through all that storm she flew—
So large her love, and such a heart to sing!
And poured the sweetest of all songs she knew,
And shamed the frown of heaven with fearless wing:
So large her love, and such a heart to sing!
And poured the sweetest of all songs she knew,
And shamed the frown of heaven with fearless wing:
When she returned, I looked—the skies were clear—
And listened—but no thunder could I hear.
And listened—but no thunder could I hear.
| Poems by James Rhoades | |