APRIL 
For leafy thickness is not yet 
Earth’s naked breast to screen, 
Though every dripping branch is set 
With shoots of tender green, 
Sure, since I looked at early morn, 
Those honeysuckle buds 
Have swelled to double growth; that thorn 
Hath put forth larger studs ;— 
That lilac’s cleaving cones have burst, 
The milk-white flowers revealing; 
Even now upon my senses first 
Methinks their sweets are stealing, 
The very earth, the steaming air, 
.Is all with fragrance rife; 
And grace and beauty everywhere 
Are flushing into life. 
Down, down they come—those fruitful stores! 
Those earth-rejoicing drops ! 
A momentary deluge pours, — 
Then thins, decreases, stops. 
And ere the dimples on the stream 
Have circled out of sight, 
Lo! from the west, a parting gleam 
Breaks forth of amber light. 


