The Rainbow

I

When the sun with cheerful beams
Smiles upon a low ring sky,
Soon its aspect soften’d seems,
And a rainbow meets the eye:
While the sky remains serene
This bright arch is never seen.

II

Thus the Lord’s supporting pow’r
Brightest to his saints appears,
When affliction’s threat’ning hour
Fills their sky with clouds and fears:
He can wonders then perform,
Paint a rainbow on the storm.

III

All their graces doubly shine
When their troubles press them sore;
And the promises divine
Give them joys unknown before:
As the colours of the bow
To the cloud their brightness owe.

IV

Favour’d John a rainbow saw,
Circling round a throne above;
Hence the saints a pledge may draw
Of unchanging cov’nant love:
Clouds awhile may intervene,
But the bow will still be seen.