| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Symphonic Studies: Epilogue | | By Emma Lazarus (1849–1887) |
| | (After Robert Schumann)
FORTH in the sunlit, rain-bathed air we stepped, | |
| Sweet with the dripping grass and flowering vine, | |
| And saw through irised clouds the pale sun shine. | |
| Back o’er the hills the rain-mist slowly crept | |
| Like a transparent curtain’s silvery sheen; | 5 |
| And fronting us the painted bow was arched, | |
| Whereunder the majestic cloud-shapes marched: | |
| In the wet, yellow light the dazzling green | |
| Of lawn and bush and tree seemed stained with blue. | |
| Our hearts o’erflowed with peace. With smiles we spake | 10 |
| Of partings in the past, of courage new, | |
| Of high achievement, of the dreams that make | |
| A wonder and a glory of our days, | |
| And all life’s music but a hymn of praise. | | | | |
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