Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STUDIES FOR PICTURES: 2. THE NEIGHBOR, by BAYARD TAYLOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STUDIES FOR PICTURES: 2. THE NEIGHBOR, by             Poet's Biography
First Line: How cool and wet the lowlands lie
Last Line: They bring a welcome rain to mine
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Neighbors; Rain


How cool and wet the lowlands lie
Beneath the cloaked and hooded sky!
How softly beats the welcome rain
Against the plashy window-pane!

There is no sail upon the bay:
We cannot go abroad to-day,
But, darlings, come and take my hand,
And hear a tale of Fairy-land.

The baby's little head shall rest
In quiet on his father's breast,
And mother, if he chance to stir,
Shall sing him songs once sung to her.

Ah, little ones, ye do not fret
Because the garden grass is wet;
Ye love the rains, whene'er they come
That all day keep your father home.

No fish to-day the net shall yield;
The happy oxen graze afield;
The thirsty corn will drink its fill,
And louder sing the woodland rill.

Then, darlings, nestle round the hearth;
Ye are the sunshine of the earth:
Your tender eyes so fondly shine,
They bring a welcome rain to mine





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