Lone, on her banks, the rain-soak'd fisher strays,
Intent and mindless of the involved rays,
Though the bleak heav'ns emit their wat'ry store,
With rapid force, and lash the foamy shore;
Calm and undaunted, 'mongst his lines he works,
And through red light'ning eyes the floating corks.
Slow pass'd the day, till dreadful night o'erspread
A dismal darkness o'er each mortal's head;
No moon appear'd, no star beam'd to the eye,
Uproar raved monarch through the affrighted sky;
Stern Thunder storm'd imperious from his throne,
Hail furious flew and sweepy light'ning shone.
Shrunk to the close recesses of the room,
Assembled neighbours sat, in solemn gloom;
All eye, to catch the frequent startling flash,
All ear, when roar'd the awe-impressing crash;
Fear sat on ev'ry brow, and Guilt, distrest,
Believed each bolt directed to his breast.
Kind is that pow'r whose dread commanding voice,
Lulls the loud tempest's wild discordant noise.
With us he bids best blessings long delay,
While harsh disasters post in speed away.
Soon as young morn gain'd on the sulky night,
A beauteous prospect met th' enraptured sight:
The pearly dew-drops twinkled on the spray,
And larks, ascending, welcomed in the day;
Bright Phoebus ush'ring from his wat'ry bed,
Superbly rose and cheer'd the drooping mead;
Fleet fled the shades of night, waked from the grove,
Glad chant the birds, soft coos the hermit dove;
High from the blue expanse his glory pours,
Boundless, abroad, and dyes the glitt'ring flow'rs;
Lambs dance, and brooks, melodious, murm'ring run;
Creation smiles, and hails the glorious sun.