THE APRIL SHOWER. BY MRS. SEBA SMITH. THE April rain! the April rain! Now drenching all the ground. Pray tell me why an April shower Than falling drops of other rain? I'm sure it is to me. I wonder if 'tis really so, Or only Hope, the while, That tells of swelling buds and flowers, And Summer's coming smile: Whate'er it is, the April shower Makes me a child again; I feel a rush of youthful blood, As falls the April rain. 206 THE APRIL SHOWER. And sure, were I a little bulb, The small brown seed that rattled down Is bursting from its cerements forth, The slender spears of pale green grass Are smiling in the light; The clover opes its folded leaves, As though it felt delight. The robin sings on the leafless tree, Come filtering down the sky; No doubt he longs the bright green leaves About his home to see, And feel the swaying summer winds Play in the full-robed tree. THE APRIL SHOWER. The cottage door is open wide, And cheerful sounds are heard; The young girl sings at the merry wheel The creeping child by the old worn sill And his ringlets parts with his chubby hand, With bounding heart beneath the sky And hoop and ball are darting by, Ay, shout away, ye joyous throng! I love to see your spirits dance, In your pure and healthful play! THE VOICE OF THE GALE. BY THOMAS J. CHARLTON. 207 'Tis the voice of the gale: I have heard it, at night, 208 THE VOICE OF THE GALE. 'Tis the voice of the gale: I have heard its deep moan Through the desolate halls of some fabric o'erthrown; And the accents of those who once gladdened its hearth Seemed again to return to the place of their birth. 'Tis the voice of the gale: mid the desolate plain, 'Tis the voice of the gale, which, to fancy's fond ear, Yes; oft, mid its moanings, we dream they are nigh, |