Shooting Stars.

A poem by Victor Marie Hugo

[FOR MY LITTLE CHILD ONLY.]

("Tas de feux tombants.")

[Bk. III. vii.]


See the scintillating shower!
Like a burst from golden mine -
Incandescent coals that pour
From the incense-bowl divine,
And around us dewdrops, shaken,
Mirror each a twinkling ray
'Twixt the flowers that awaken
In this glory great as day.
Mists and fogs all vanish fleetly;
And the birds begin to sing,
Whilst the rain is murm'ring sweetly
As if angels echoing.
And, methinks, to show she's grateful
For this seed from heaven come,
Earth is holding up a plateful
Of the birds and buds a-bloom!