...(and others) will live to see our country flourish, as it amazingly and rapidly did after the war was over. Like a field of young Indian corn, which long fair weather and sunshine has enfeebled and discolour'd, and which in that weak state, by a thunder gust of violent wind, hail...

...United States would flourish after the war, Franklin compared it to a characteristically American motif: "Like a Field of young Indian Corn, which long Fair weather and Sunshine had enfeebled and discoloured, and which in that weak State, by a Thunder Gust, of violent Wind, Hail and Rain seem'd...

...the age." Then Franklin went on in a set piece, a large Homeric simile. I must soon quit the scene, but you may live to see our country flourish, as it...and discolored, and which, in that weak state, by a thunder-gust of violent wind, hail, and rain seemed to be threatened with absolute destruction; yet...