There was an awful rainbow once in heaven;
We know her woof, her texture; she is given
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There was an awful rainbow once in heaven;
We know her woof, her texture; she is given
In the dull catalogue of common things.
Philosophy will clip an Angel's wings.

Triumphal arch, that fill'st the sky
When storms prepare to part,
I ask not proud Philosophy
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Triumphal arch, that fill'st the sky
When storms prepare to part,
I ask not proud Philosophy
To teach me what thou art.

Mild arch of promise! on the evening sky
Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray,
Each read more

Mild arch of promise! on the evening sky
Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray,
Each in the south melting.

O beautiful rainbow;--all woven of light!
There's not in thy tissue one shadow of night;
Heaven surely read more

O beautiful rainbow;--all woven of light!
There's not in thy tissue one shadow of night;
Heaven surely is open when thou dost appear.
And, bending thee above, the angels draw near,
And sing,--"The rainbow! the rainbow!
The smile of God is here."

Pride of the dewy morning,
The swain's experienced eye
From thee takes timely warning.
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Pride of the dewy morning,
The swain's experienced eye
From thee takes timely warning.
Nor trusts the gorgeous sky.
- John Keble,

Rain, rain, and sun! a rainbow in the sky!

Rain, rain, and sun! a rainbow in the sky!

A rainbow in the morning
Is the Shepherd's warning;
But a rainbow at night
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A rainbow in the morning
Is the Shepherd's warning;
But a rainbow at night
Is the Shepherd's delight.

Hung on the shower that fronts the golden West,
The rainbow bursts like magic on mine eyes!
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Hung on the shower that fronts the golden West,
The rainbow bursts like magic on mine eyes!
In hues of ancient promise there imprest;
Frail in its date, eternal in its guise.

What skilful limner e'er would choose
To paint the rainbow's varying hues,
Unless to mortal it were read more

What skilful limner e'er would choose
To paint the rainbow's varying hues,
Unless to mortal it were given
To dip his brush in dyes of heaven?