Earth Odours--After Rain

Life-yielding fragrance of our Mother Earth! Benignant breath exhaled from summer showers!-- All Nature dimples into smiles of flowers, From unclosed woodland to trim garden girth:-- These perfumes softening the harsh soul of dearth Are older than old Shinar's arrogant towers,-- And touched with visions of rain-freshened hours, On Syrian hill-slopes ere the Patriarch's birth! Nay! the charmed fancy plays a subtler part!-- Lo! banished Adam, his large, wondering eyes Fixed on the trouble of the first dark cloud! Lo! tremulous Eve,--a pace behind, how bowed,-- Not dreaming, 'midst her painful pants of heart, What balm shall fall from yonder ominous cloud!