THE SUMMER SHOWER.
It’s raining, it’s raining, so heavily, heavily,
The only dry place is just under the tree;
There let us scamper, so merrily, merrily,
Keeping together as close as can be.
Look at the rainbow, so glorious and wonderful,
Stretching its great arch far up in the sky,
While all around the clouds heavy and thunder-full,
Tinge fields and trees with their stormy red dye.
Look, how the hills are all purple behind us;
See, how the sky is all gloomy and black,
Francis and Willy, indeed you must mind us,
Rain is still falling—this moment come back.
Yes, on that side the bright sun is now shining,
Tinting the tops of the trees with its glow:
Raindrops and sunbeams, their splendours combining,
Colour the beautiful rainbow, you know.
Do you not hear how the heavy drops clatter
On the broad branches that cover us now?
We are not shorn, like the sheep, so no matter;—
See, how they shelter themselves near the cow.
Old Nurse, perhaps, is afraid of the thunder,
Guessing in vain where her children can be;
After such torrents of rain, she will wonder
To find us all dry ’neath the broad chestnut-tree.
