The Song of the Storm-Finch

HE strong wind is gathering the storm-clouds together above the gray plain of the ocean so wide.

The storm-finch, the bird that resembles dark lightning, between clouds and ocean is soaring with pride. 

Now skimming the waves with his wings, and now shooting up, arrow-like, into the dark clouds on high,the storm-finch is clamoring loudly and shrilly; the clouds can hear joy in the bird's fearless cry. 

In that cry is the yearning, the thirst for the tempest, and anger's hot might in its wild notes is heard; thekeen fire of passion, the faith in sure triumph-all these the clouds hear in the voice of the bird . . . . . 

The storm-wind is howling, the thunder is roaring; with flame blue and lambent the cloud-masses glowo'er the fathomless ocean; it catches the lightnings, and quenches them deep in its whirlpool below. 

Like serpents of fire in the dark ocean writhing, the lightnings reflected there quiver and shake as into theblackness they vanish forever. The tempest! Now quickly the tempest will break! 

The storm-finch soars fearless and proud 'mid the lightnings, above the wild waves that the roaring windsfret; and what is the prophet of victory saying? "Oh, let the storm burst! Fiercer yet-fiercer yet!"