After Dark Vapours Have Oppressed Our Plains. By Keats, John. After dark vapours have oppressed our plains For a long dreary season, comes a day Born of the gentle South, and clears away From the sick heavens all unseemly stains. The anxious month, relieved from its pains, Takes as a long-lost right the feel of May, The eyelids with the passing coolness play, Like rose-leaves with the drip of summer rains. And calmest thoughts come round us -as of leaves Budding -fruit ripening in stillness -autumn suns Smiling at eve upon the quiet sheaves, - Sweet Sappho's cheek, -a sleeping infant's breath, - The gradual sand that through an hour-glass runs, - A woodland rivulet, -a Poet's death.