Who trills his carol, loud and clear,

Thinks not how soon his verdant home

The lightning’s breath may sear.

Shall I within my bridegroom’s bower

With braids of budding roses twined,

Look forward to a coming hour

When he may prove unkind?

The bee reigns in his waxen cell,

The chieftain in his stately hold,

To-morrow’s earthquake,—who can tell?