Readiest.

Wyeth, April Wind, 1954

The SONG of the FOUR WINDS

          Wind from the north: the young spring day

          Is pleasant on the sunny mead;

          Tho' merry harps at evening play;

          The dance gay youths and maidens lead:

          The thrush makes chorus from the thorn:

          The mighty drinker fills his horn.

          Wind from the east: the shore is still;

          The mountain-clouds fly tow'rds the sea;

          The ice is on the winter-rill;

          The great hall fire is blazing free:

          The prince's circling feast is spread:

          Drink fills with fumes the brainless head.

          Wind from the south: in summer shade

          'Tis sweet to hear the loud harp ring;

          Sweet is the step of comely maid,

          Who to the bard a cup doth bring:

          The black crow flies where carrion lies:

          Where pignuts lurk, the swine will work.

          Wind from the west: the autumnal deep

          Rolls on the shore its billowy pride:

          He, who the rampart's watch must keep,

          Will mark with awe the rising tide:

          The high springtide, that bursts its mound,

          May roll o'er miles of level ground.

          Wind from the west: the mighty wave

          Of ocean bounds o'er rock and sand;

          The foaming surges roar and rave

          Against the bulwarks of the land:

          When waves are rough, and winds are high,

          Good is the land that's high and dry.

          Wind from the west: the storm-clouds rise;

          The breakers rave; the whirlblasts roar;

          The mingled rage of the seas and skies

          Bursts on the low and lonely shore:

          When safety's far, and danger nigh,

          Swift feet the readiest aid supply.

          Wind from the west---

Thomas Love Peacock