278 MORE POT-POURRI 



a poem which describes this kind of shower beautifully 

 and originally : 



After rain, after rain, 



Oh, sparkling Earth ! 



All 'things are new again, 



Bathed as at birth. 



Now the pattering sound hath ceased, 



Drenched and released, 



Upward springs the glistening bough 



In sunshine now ; 



And the raindrop from the leaf 



Euns and slips ; 



Ancient forests have relief, 



Young foliage drips. 



All the earth doth seem 



Like Dian issuing from the stream, 



Her body flushing from the wave, 



Glistening in her beauty grave ; 



Down from her, as she doth pass 



Little rills run to the grass ; 



Or like perhaps to Venus when she rose 



And looked with dreamy stare across the sea, 



As yet unconscious of the woes, 



The woes, and all the wounds that were to be. 



Or now again, 



After the rain, 



Earth like that early garden shines, 



Vested in vines. 



Oh, green, green 



Eden is seen ! 



After weeping skies 



Kising Paradise ; 



Umbrage twinkling new 



'Gainst the happy blue. 



God there for His pleasure, 



In divinest leisure, 



Walking in the sun, 



Which hath lately run ; 



While the birds sing clear and plain, 



Behind the bright withdrawing rain. 



Soon I shall perceive 



Naked glimmering Eve, 



