There are broad thoughts struggling in my mind , and , were I able to give them distinctness , they would make their way in eloquence . Lo ! the raindrops are descending . The clouds within a little time have gathered over all the sky , hanging heavily , as if about to drop in one unbroken mass upon the earth . At intervals the lightning flashes from their brooding hearts , quivers , disappears , and then comes the thunder , travelling slowly after its twin-born flame . A strong wind has sprung up , howls through the darkened streets , and raises the dust in dense bodies to rebel against the approaching storm . The disbanded soldiers fly , the funeral has already vanished like its dead , and all people hurry homeward -- all that have a home -- while a few lounge by the corners or trudge on desperately at their leisure . In a narrow lane which communicates with the shady street I discern the rich old merchant putting himself to the top of his speed lest the rain should convert his hair-powder to a paste . Unhappy gentleman ! By the slow vehemence and painful moderation wherewith he journeys , it is but too evident that Podagra has left its thrilling tenderness in his great toe . But yonder , at a far more rapid pace , come three other of my acquaintance , the two pretty girls and the young man unseasonably interrupted in their walk . Their footsteps are supported by the risen dust , the wind lends them its velocity , they fly like three sea-birds driven landward by the tempestuous breeze . The ladies would not thus rival Atalanta if they but knew that any one were at leisure to observe them . Ah ! as they hasten onward , laughing in the angry face of nature , a sudden catastrophe has chanced . At the corner where the narrow lane enters into the street they come plump against the old merchant , whose tortoise-motion has just brought him to that point . He likes not the sweet encounter ; the darkness of the whole air gathers speedily upon his visage , and there is a pause on both sides . Finally he thrusts aside the youth with little courtesy , seizes an arm of each of the two girls , and plods onward like a magician with a prize of captive fairies . All this is easy to be understood . How disconsolate the poor lover stands , regardless of the rain that threatens an exceeding damage to his well-fashioned habiliments , till he catches a backward glance of mirth from a bright eye , and turns away with whatever comfort it conveys !
The old man and his daughters are safely housed , and now the XXXXX lets loose its fury .
Atalanta Podagra distinctness habiliments hair-powder landward left lightning storm tortoise-motion