Behind the Cloud [pp. 439-440]

Behind the Cloud.
since the present Congress provides for
all the Interest, but at 3 pr. C. only.
I have shipped your Demijohn of
French Brandy to Mr. Brent at Lorfolk,
desiring him to send it to Alexandria to
you. I hope to see you in a fortnight.
BEHIND THE CLOUD.
BY AMIN.
" Sous la Neige il y a de la verdure, et derriere le plus epais nuage le ciel est bleu."
The white snows fall,
Imprisoning Earth in their icy thrall;
She lieth in wintry guise
So pallid and coldi and dead,
The hoarse winds mutter as if in dreadYet the germ of a beautiful Summer lies
Beneath the frosty pall.
When sunny Spring,
Warbling a sweet apocalypse,
Lifts with her dainty finger-tips
The niantle's snowy edges,
She finds the green buds quickening,
Through forests, vales and hedges.
The listening, trusting heart,
Can hear the stirring grasses grow
Ere the wintry hours departCan hear the violets bud and blow,
Beneath the snow.
The black clouds rise,
O'ershadowing all the smiling skies The raptured soul no more,
To its holiest instincts true,
Can pierce the etherial arches through;
Heaven seems afar, with its sapphire floor
Concealed from yearning eyes.
Then one by one,
Sudden through many a widening rift,
Like showering jewels the sunbeams drift,
Decking clouds with silver fringesAnd the hours swing swiftly from shade to sun,
Turning on golden hinges.
Through every dreary storm,
The beams celestial break anew,
Mellow and rich and warmFor behind each cloud of sombre hue,
The skies are blue.
O restless soul,
O'erwearied with pain's unequal dole,
1859.]
439
My love to all. Your affectionate Brother.
N. B.-No Spanish war the 8th Inst.,
but likely to be.
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