XXIV.

Louder and louder grows the tempest’s voice. From secular oak and pine huge branches riven Are whirled through air by winds that fierce rejoice; And trees for playthings to the blast are given, As howls the whirlwind breath of angry Heaven! And pettiest streams to cataracts are swelled, And torrents dash adown the mountain driven; While Druid stone and cairn are instant felled, And boulders rolled along like pebbles are compelled.