A Thunderstorm

The sea is full, and over-full, 
The waves are edged with foam like wool: 
Does Proteus shear his flocks to-night? 
It seems so thick with fleeces white. 

The sky is like a copper shield,
Brought broken from a battle-field; 
Between its rents the lightnings leap, 
Tryst with the meeting clouds to keep. 

The wind cries like a child to-night: 
Its breath has turned the poplars white; 
The ivy shudders on the wall, 
And petals of red lilies fall. 

A moment, and the world is dumb: 
The moment ere the thunders come; 
The earth holds breath 'twixt fear and pain, 
Then, childlike, floods her fear with rain.