24 A SOUND OF RAIN. 



remonstrance, " for now I think of it, I must have a little quarrel 

 with you. When we were discussing my projected little pic nic 

 last night, I fancied you inclined to throw a little cold water 

 upon my little scheme. Now was n't that a leetle unkind ? " 

 To be continued. 



FUNEREAL SKETCHES, No. XXIX. 



A SOUND OF RAIN.' 



The sun is on his noontide march, 

 Flaming through the unshadowed arch. 

 That, pervious to his scorching smiles, 

 Hangs o'er the Carib mountain isles. 

 Hast thou not viewed, at such a time, 

 The sea-mist on his walk sublime : 

 Seen man and beast, like Israel's crowd. 

 Bowed down before that glorious cloud ? 

 As each ear long lent to pain 

 Drinks the sound of coming rain. 



Thus, on Carmel's arid sod. 

 Bowed the chastened man of God, 

 'Whiles his servant watched the sea 

 Steadfast, but despondingly. 

 Now a cloud obstructs the calm. 

 Small — no larger than your palm : — 

 " Yet enough ; let Ahab speed, 

 Harness quick his fleetest steed ; 

 Bid him urge the glowing wheel, 

 Hurry ! — hurry, to Jezreel." 



Onward fast the monarch hied. 

 Fast the prophet by his side. 

 Girded in his mantle-vest. 

 Ran, and still outstripped the rest: 

 Through the dun and driving rack, 

 Earth a river — Heaven all black. 

 Flood and fell the coursers passed. 

 And the city gained at last ; 

 Where — preventing spur and wheel — 

 Stood Elijah in Jezreel. 



