ON a clear day in Paris, walking where A century ago red riot leapt Torrent-like down the streets, I was aware How, far on the horizon rim, there crept Pale, ominous clouds; and listening I heard Dim, unmistakable, a muttered word: The thunder's prelude and the tempest's threat. The hour was bright with sun and jest and song In the blithe Capital, and yet, and yet, The place was Paris and Men's woes are long; Sudden, for me, beneath that tranquil sky, The tragic tumbrils, hark! go rumbling by! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GRANDFATHER'S LOVE by SARA TEASDALE THE QUESTION ANSWER'D by WILLIAM BLAKE ODE TO TOBACCO by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY MAPLE AND SUMACH by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE TEST by RALPH WALDO EMERSON A VISION OF CONNAUGHT IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY by JAMES CLARENCE MANGAN L'ENVOI: THE RETURN OF THE SIRE DE NESLE, A.D. 16 - by HERMAN MELVILLE |