Announcement

The night is loud with reeds of rain
Rejoicing at my window-pane,
And murmuring, "Spring comes again!"
I hear the wind take up their song
And on the sky's vibrating gong
Beat out and roar it all night long.
Then waters, where they pour their might
In foam, halloo it down the night,
From vale to vale and height to height.
And I thank God that down the deep
She comes, her ancient tryst to keep
With Earth again who wakes from sleep:
From death and sleep, that held her fast
So long, pale cerements round her cast,
Her penetential raiment vast.
Now, Lazarus-like, within her grave
She stirs, who hears the words that save,
The Christ-like words of wind and wave.
And, hearing, bids her soul prepare
The germs of blossoms in her there
To make her body sweet and fair;
To meet in manifest audience
The eyes of Spring, and reverence,
With beauty, God in soul and sense.