The Half-Rainbow

The groups of Autumn flowers were all ablaze;
The hollyhock and scarlet crane's-bill burn'd
Like merry household fires; but when he turn'd
To search the distance, all was block'd with haze;
Then came a brightness over rick and roof;
He gladden'd, as the running sunshine laugh'd
Its way from sheaf to sheaf, while, high aloof,
The rainbow linger'd in one glorious shaft;
Then, in that light of promise, he appeal'd,
To her who was his heart's best hope; she heard
The tender suit his trembling lips preferr'd,
And in imperfect words her love reveal'd;
Her faltering accents gave a pledge divine,
Like Heaven's half-bow, a true tho' broken sign.