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AN EARTHQUAKE
 
AT CHIUSI.
 
TO F. A. E.
A LURID veil the sun had worn the day,
Shrouded the hot and sickly sunbeams fell;
The breeze seemed weary of her idle play,
And tolled upon the air like funeral knell.

At last the day crept out with stealthy tread,
And hid the hill and valley out of sight,
While flickering lights in many a window shed
Uncertain gleams upon the darkling night.

Anon a low deep muttering was heard,
A hollow and unearthly rushing wind
Swept o'er the trembling plain, as if a word
From God was spoken, and the earth had joined