The landscape, like the awed face of a child, br Grew curiously blurred; a hush of death br Fell on the fields, and in the darkened wild br The zephyr held its breath. br br No wavering glamour-work of light and shade br Dappled the shivering surface of the brook; br The frightened ripples in their ambuscade br Of willows thrilled and shook. br br The sullen day grew darker, and anon br Dim flashes of pent anger lit the sky; br With rumbling wheels of wrath came rolling on br The storm's artillery. br br The cloud above put on its blackest frown, br And then, as with a vengeful cry of pain, br The lightning snatched it, ripped and flung it down br In ravelled shreds of rain: br br While I, transfigured by some wondrous art, br Bowed with the thirsty lilies to the sod, br My empty soul brimmed over, and my heart br Drenched with the love of God.