The Evening Rainbow

The Evening Rainbow

Mild arch of promise, in the evening sky,

Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray,

Each in the other melting. Much mine eye

Delights to linger on thee; for the day,

Changeful and many-weathered, seemed to smile,
Flashing brief splendor thro' the clouds awhile,

Which deepened dark anon and fell to rain:

But pleasant is it now to pause and view
Thy various tints of frail and watery hue,

And think the storm shall not return again.

Such is the smile that piety bestows

On the good man's pale cheek when he in peace

Departing gently from a world of woes,

Anticipate the world where sorrows cease.

Southey (Robert Southey)

New Series 2:11, p. 48

1841.05.22