THE RED SUNSETS, 1883.

The boding sky was charactered with cloud,

The scripture of the storm — but high in air,

Where the unfathomed zenith still was bare,

A pure expanse of rose-flushed violet glowed

And, kindling into crimson light, o'erflowed

The hurrying wrack with such a blood-red glare,

That heaven, igniting, wildly seemed to flare

On the dazed eyes of many an awe-struck crowd.

And in far lands folk presaged with blanched lips

Disastrous wars, earthquakes, and foundering ships

Such whelming floods as never dykes could stem,

Or some proud empire's ruin and eclipse:

Lo, such a sky, they cried, as burned o'er them

Once lit the sacking of Jerusalem!