II.

In summer skies I saw serenely bright Creation smile o’er pastoral cottage fair. Effulgent glory dwelt in loveliest light On copse and garden, hedge and homestead there. It seemed as exiled from that spot was Care! Sudden a cloud o’ergathering, fringed with red, Burst in black thunder bellowing through the air. A hissing bolt its flame terrific sped; The cottage ruined lay--its peaceful inmates dead!