Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PRESENTIMENT, by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PRESENTIMENT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh father, let us hence - for hark ...'


"Oh father, let us hence-for hark,
A fearful murmur shakes the air;
The clouds are coming swift and dark;-
What horrid shapes they wear!
A wingèd giant sails the sky;
Oh father, father, let us fly!"


"Hush, child; it is a grateful sound,
That beating of the summer shower;
Here, where the boughs hang close around,
We'll pass a pleasant hour,
Till the fresh wind, that brings the rain,
Has swept the broad heaven clear again."


"Nay, father, let us haste-for see,
That horrid thing with hornèd brow-
His wings o'erhang this very tree,
He scowls upon us now;
His huge black arm is lifted high;
Oh father, father, let us fly!"


"Hush, child;" but, as the father spoke,
Downward the livid firebolt came,
Close to his ear the thunder broke,
And, blasted by the flame,
The child lay dead; while dark and still
Swept the grim cloud along the hill.






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