The Hail-storm in June, 1831

Darkness came o'er like chaos; and the Sun,
As startled with the terror, seemed to run
With quickened dread behind the beetling cloud;
The old wood groaned, like Nature in her shroud;
And each old rifted oak-tree's mossy arm
Seemed shrinking from the presence of the storm.
As it still nearer came, they shook beyond
Their former fears, as if to burst the bond
Of earth, that bound them to that ancient place,
Where Danger seemed to threaten all their race.
They had withstood all tempests since their birth,
Yet now seemed bowing to the very earth;
Like reeds they bent, like drunken men they reeled,
And man for safety ran and sought the open field.