I br br In barns we crouch, and under stacks of straw, br Harking the storm that rides a hurtling legion br Up the arched sky, and speeds quick heels of panic br With growling thunder loosed in fork and clap br That echoes crashing thro’ the slumbrous vault. br The whispering woodlands darken: vulture Gloom br Stoops, menacing the skeltering flocks of Light, br Where the gaunt shepherd shakes his gleaming staff br And foots with angry tidings down the slope. br Drip, drip; the rain steals in through soaking thatch br By cob-webbed rafters to the dusty floor. br Drums shatter in the tumult; wrathful Chaos br Points pealing din to the zenith, then resolves br Terror in wonderment with rich collapse. br br II br br Now from drenched eaves a swallow darts to skim br The crystal stillness of an air unveiled br To tremulous blue. Raise your bowed heads, and let br Your horns adore the sky, ye patient kine! br Haste, flashing brooks! Small, chuckling rills, rejoice! br Be open-eyed for Heaven, ye pools of peace! br Shine, rain-bow hills! Dream on, fair glimpsèd vale br In haze of drifting gold! And all sweet birds, br Sing out your raptures to the radiant leaves! br And ye, close huddling Men, come forth to stand br A moment simple in the gaze of God br That sweeps along your pastures! Breathe his might! br Lift your blind faces to be filled with day, br And share his benediction with the flowers.