Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By AmélieTroubetzkoy

1519 Before the Rain

THE BLACKCAPS pipe among the reeds,

And there ’ll be rain to follow;

There is a murmur as of wind

In every coign and hollow;

The wrens do chatter of their fears

While swinging on the barley-ears.

Come, hurry, while there yet is time,

Pull up thy scarlet bonnet.

Now, sweetheart, as my love is thine,

There is a drop upon it.

So trip it ere the storm-hag weird

Doth pluck the barley by the beard!

Lo! not a whit too soon we’re housed;

The storm-witch yells above us;

The branches rapping on the panes

Seem not in truth to love us.

And look where through the clover bush

The nimble-footed rain doth rush!