THE PLEASURES OF WOEK. 7 



of a love of garden work, that Ave are thereby frequently 

 able to enjoy wet weather. Either there is some trans- 

 planting to be clone, or some seeds have been sown, or 

 some turf has been laid down ; and a dull, drizzling day, 

 or a hearty soaking shower, is welcomed and rejoiced in, 

 with a zest unknown to those who are for ever grumbling 

 at our capricious climate. There is first the enjoying, at 

 the open window, of that most delightful of summer 

 sounds, the pattering of rain-drops upon the leaves of the 

 trees ; then comes the eager delight of hastening out after 

 the shower has ceased, and finding that, even in a few 

 hours, some tiny seeds will have sprung up, while every 

 bush and flower is looking so fresh, and smiling so fra- 

 grantly. 



*■ Oh ! the rapture of beauty, of sweetness, of sound, 

 That succeeded that soft, gracious rain ! 

 With laughter and singing the valleys rung round, 

 And the little hills shouted again. 



'' The wind sunk away like a sleeping child's breath. 

 The pavilion of clouds was upf url'd ; 

 And the sun, like a spirit triumphant o'er death. 

 Smiled out on this beautiful world. 



'• On this ' beautiful icorld ' such a change had been wrought 

 By these few blessed drops. Oh ! the same 

 On some cold stony heart might be work'd too, methought, 

 Sunk in guilt, but not senseless of shame ! 



" If a few virtuous tears, by the merciful shed, 

 Toiich'd its hardness, perhaps the good grain 

 That was sown there and rooted, though long seeminr/ dead, 

 Might shoot up and flourish again. 



