How darkly o'er yon far-off mountain frowns

    The gather'd tempest! from that lurid cloud

    The deep-voiced thunders roll, aweful and loud

  Tho' distant; while upon the misty downs

  Fast falls in shadowy streaks the pelting rain.

    I never saw so terrible a storm!

  Perhaps some way-worn traveller in vain

    Wraps his torn raiment round his shivering form

  Cold even as Hope within him! I the while

  Pause me in sadness tho' the sunbeams smile

    Cheerily round me. Ah that thus my lot

  Might be with Peace and Solitude assign'd,

    Where I might from some little quiet cot,

  Sigh for the crimes and miseries of mankind!

Sappho.