THE APRIL SHOWER.
See, how the raindrops, fast and thick, are falling at our feet,
And clouds of sorrow overcast the brows of all we meet.
They hurry to and fro to seek a friendly shelter nigh;
As on they haste no gentle shocks salute the passer by.
And clouds of sorrow overcast the brows of all we meet.
They hurry to and fro to seek a friendly shelter nigh;
As on they haste no gentle shocks salute the passer by.
A fair young bride is drawing nigh, dressed in the purest white,
Alas! alas! her wedding gear is in a hapless plight:
The satin shoes which deck her feet, as on she wends her way,
Are not so very meet, I ween, to suit an April day.
Alas! alas! her wedding gear is in a hapless plight:
The satin shoes which deck her feet, as on she wends her way,
Are not so very meet, I ween, to suit an April day.
Here comes a gay and dashing belle; she shares the common fate:
Too well her sullied garments speak the horrors of her state.
She sees no gallant lover now, to soothe her troubles nigh;
And o'er her brow pass darker clouds, than o'er yon murky sky.
Too well her sullied garments speak the horrors of her state.
She sees no gallant lover now, to soothe her troubles nigh;
And o'er her brow pass darker clouds, than o'er yon murky sky.
Look upon yonder ancient maid, with slow and stately air;
She little thought when out she came, this woful fate to share.
That dress had not beheld the light of day for many a year;
But, as the weather promised well, she doffed her daily gear.
She little thought when out she came, this woful fate to share.
That dress had not beheld the light of day for many a year;
But, as the weather promised well, she doffed her daily gear.
A mincing dandy next comes on; but, horrid to relate,
He rears no kind umbrella high, to shield his frizzled pate.
Most sad it is to see him shrink and envy all who pass,
But still more sad to see him raise in vain for aid his glass.
He rears no kind umbrella high, to shield his frizzled pate.
Most sad it is to see him shrink and envy all who pass,
But still more sad to see him raise in vain for aid his glass.
I joy to see the bright ones run, that maiden haste her pace:
It gives my wicked spirit sport to view that dandy's face.
O! happy fate! this rainy day my week-day dress I wear,
And as I wend my careless way, for storms I little care.
It gives my wicked spirit sport to view that dandy's face.
O! happy fate! this rainy day my week-day dress I wear,
And as I wend my careless way, for storms I little care.
So on I go, nor fear the rain, though thick it falls and fast,
And when my walk is o'er,I reach a cheerful home at last.
And as before a well-filled grate I sit in warm array,
I must relate, for very sport, the horrors of this day.
And when my walk is o'er,I reach a cheerful home at last.
And as before a well-filled grate I sit in warm array,
I must relate, for very sport, the horrors of this day.
Our life is but one April day; now sunlight and now showers:
Alternate smiles and tears are shed upon our swift-winged hours.
Let us in gratitude receive the beams that gild our skies,
And though their splendor be withdrawn, let silent praise arise.
Alternate smiles and tears are shed upon our swift-winged hours.
Let us in gratitude receive the beams that gild our skies,
And though their splendor be withdrawn, let silent praise arise.